Love Island USA’s Leah Kateb lends a voice to NYC’s most vulnerable animals

The Clear the Shelters Month initiative has brought together several celebrities, including Leah Kateb, an American actress and model, who has teamed up with Second Chance Rescue to raise awareness about animal adoption and advocacy during this special month. Kateb has expressed her love for animals since childhood, which led her to start rescuing and fostering various animals. She believes that it is the responsibility of human beings to help the voiceless, as animals cannot speak for themselves.

“Ever since I was a kid, I have felt a really special connection to animals,”

Kateb shared during her visit to the private rescue. “I started rescuing and fostering. It just became more and more special to me. They can’t speak for themselves. Honestly, I feel it’s our duty as human beings to help the voiceless.”

Second Chance Rescue, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2009. The team focuses on pulling animals from high-kill shelters in NYC and in high-need areas across the country. They also support pet owners through community programs that raise funds to keep animals in homes when finances are a barrier to care. During Kateb’s visit, she met two animals that have a remarkable story. Maytag, a loving and trusting cat, was abandoned at an animal hospital after surviving a washing machine accident. Molly, a three-legged dog, didn’t let being hit by a car slow her down “one bit.”

Kateb was impressed by the work of Second Chance Rescue, saying, “Visiting Second Chance Rescue has been the highlight of my month. They’re helping so many animals in need and I’m really glad that I got to be here and experience it.”

As Clear the Shelters Month continues, the message is clear: these animals deserve love, support, and above all, a second chance. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters and promoting animal advocacy.

Key Statistics

• Over 70 million companion animals enter shelters in the US each year.
• Approximately 1 in 5 shelter animals die due to lack of space.
• Animal shelters spend an estimated $4 billion annually on animal care and control.

Benefits of Adoption

1. Adopting from a shelter reduces the risk of supporting puppy mills and irresponsible breeding practices.
2. Shelter animals are often already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, saving owners money on medical expenses.
3. Adopting from a shelter increases the chances of finding a perfect match for your pet, as you can spend time with the animal before making a decision.

Community Support

“We are grateful for the support of Leah Kateb and the awareness she is bringing to our cause,”

said a representative from Second Chance Rescue. “We hope to inspire more people to consider adopting animals from shelters.”

As the Clear the Shelters Month initiative comes to an end, the impact of the campaign will be felt for a long time. Second Chance Rescue continues to work tirelessly to help animals in need, and with the help of celebrities like Leah Kateb, their mission will continue to reach a wider audience.