“I am thankful that I can help World Animal Protection in their work all over the world for animals and people in need.”
— Carla Skinder, Donor
Carla Skinder
Carla always knew she wanted to see as much of the world as she could and to share what she experienced with others. And she has been doing exactly that since 1978 when she left the United States for the first time. She has traveled to every continent to meet animals and people on their turf all while studying and photographing animals in their world.
Read more of her story
I became a member of World Animal Protection sometime in the early 1990s, maybe even earlier. I have known about [World Animal Protection’s former director] John Walsh and his escapades since the 1970s. Through the MSPCA in Boston, I became aware of World Animal Protection (formerly World Society for the Protection of Animals).
I always knew I wanted to see as much of the world as I could and to share what I experienced with others. And I have been doing exactly that since 1978 when I left the United States for the first time. I have traveled to every continent to meet animals and people on their turf all while studying and photographing animals in their world.
I became interested in helping animals as a young child when I began walking into the woods where there were bogs and little streams and ponds full of life. I saw the little creatures, the tadpoles which turned into frogs, salamanders, spiders, mosquitoes – yes, mosquitoes! – which are food for many of nature’s creatures. At the age of 9 I lived with my aunt and uncle and often came home with the tadpoles and spiders to watch them closely in buckets and jars before returning them to their habitat. Sadly, a house was built on one of the bogs that I used to explore. It was a defining moment in my childhood because nature was being taken away right before my eyes and I couldn’t understand why they would do that.
Throughout my life, I have shared my love and respect for animals with others. If I saw abuse or neglect during my travels, I would kindly call attention to it and use it as an educational opportunity, especially with children. I never shied away from saying something when I saw an animal being mistreated.
I have included World Animal Protection in my will because animals around the world need and deserve our help and World Animal Protection is effective in their efforts. There is a great need to get the word out there that all animals deserve protection. I can’t imagine living without animals, without birds, bees, seals, spiders, muskrats, dogs. Just look around at the beauty, it’s all around us. I am thankful that I can help World Animal Protection in their work all over the world for animals and people in need.
“The quote, “Think globally, act locally” has been a driving force in keeping me involved in the welfare of animals within my community. However, when it comes to improving the welfare of animals around the world, I must think globally. By providing financial support for World Animal Protection’s activities in countries around the world, I am doing my part to ensure that while I am acting locally, others are able to make an impact on the welfare of animals around the globe.”
— Renae Duncan, Donor
Renae Duncan
Renae spent her career teaching and serving as an administrator at a public university in a fairly rural community. During that time, she also served as a longtime volunteer with her local Humane Society, focusing on initiatives to improve the lives of animals in the community. Renae always felt motivated to help animals and their people within the local community, but was also concerned for the welfare of wild and domestic animals around the world.
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I was raised in a family that is passionate about the environment and I have tried to live my life in a way that does as little harm as possible to the world around us. So, when I found out that World Animal Protection is involved in initiatives that strive to improve animal welfare while simultaneously reducing the destruction of the environment, I knew I had to do even more to support this organization. Because these goals are so important to me, upon learning about this, I immediately increased my monthly support and went a step further by adding World Animal Protection to my planned giving. This ensures that my support will continue for decades into the future.
The quote, “Think globally, act locally” has been a driving force in keeping me involved in the welfare of animals within my community. However, when it comes to improving the welfare of animals around the world, I must think globally. By providing financial support for World Animal Protection’s activities in countries around the world, I am doing my part to ensure that while I am acting locally, others are able to make an impact on the welfare of animals around the globe.
“Even though I found my own way to do meaningful work in my legal career, as I am now a lawyer working as in-house counsel for a nonprofit engaging in research and development in the public interest, I continue to find impactful ways to ensure that I can support animal protection.”
— Izak Rosenfeld, Donor
Izak Rosenfeld
Growing up in the Caribbean meant that Izak had significant exposure to sea life, which gave him the opportunity to develop a particular appreciation for animals at a young age. He says “I was fortunate enough to encounter a wide variety of animals, including turtles, donkeys, eels, mongoose, sharks, whales, and stingrays. These experiences set the stage for a lifetime of motivation to support the protection of animals in the wild. When I became a lawyer, despite not being an environmental or animal rights lawyer, I knew I could still find ways to fulfil this goal of providing support to animals.”
Read more of his story
At the end of my first year of legal practice, it was the 15-year anniversary of my grandmother’s death, so I decided to make a donation in her memory to World Animal Protection. My grandmother loved animals and took me to visit a stingray conservancy and a snow leopard protection program when I was a child, so it felt like a significant way to honor her legacy. Even though I found my own way to do meaningful work in my legal career, as I am now a lawyer working as in-house counsel for a nonprofit engaging in research and development in the public interest, I continue to find impactful ways to ensure that I can support animal protection.
I have spent time caring for stingrays in a conservancy, volunteering my time as an attorney to provide pro bono support to environmental law campaigns, fundraising for sea turtle sanctuaries, working for a wildlife crime prevention organization, and participating in environmental cleaning events to ensure ecologically safe areas for wildlife in rural habitats. Also, I am the proud parent of a shelter rescue dog and am a strong proponent of the fact that anyone looking to become a pet owner should pursue rescue pathways rather than purchasing (wherever possible).
There are countless ways to get involved in supporting animal protection – it does not require a financial commitment. If you do not have the means to donate to a cause financially, there are options to donate your time and energy. Whether you choose to participate as a volunteer, join initiatives that leverage community resources for group action, sign an open letter or petition, or send a message to a key decision-maker to influence change, these are all significant ways to make a meaningful contribution to animal protection.
“We are blessed and have more than what we need while others don’t — especially the animals. They don’t have voices to shout out. Pay it forward. If you can help, help.”
— Richard Drakkir, Donor
Richard Drakkir
Richard Drakkir is a passionate animal lover, business owner and philanthropist who seeks to honor his mother’s legacy through the Drakkir Foundation. With its core message of ‘Pay it forward’, the foundation works to support animal welfare organizations and disaster relief initiatives around the world, inspiring us all to make a difference in the lives of animals in need.
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Richard Drakkir is a business owner and passionate animal lover. Richard is the CEO of Niddam Inc., a chrome metal import company that was established by his mother, Sonia Drakkir. After his mother’s passing in 2016, Richard started the Drakkir Foundation to honor her legacy. This foundation supports animal welfare organizations, including World Animal Protection.
Can you share more about your mother and why this foundation is so important to you?
My family is from Cairo, Egypt. My mom was my idol, my superhero — my everything. She was a pioneer and brought the entire family over from Africa to North America.
When mom passed away, I wanted to have a tribute to her, and my good friend suggested, “Why not start a foundation?” My mom was a super animal lover. In Cairo, she was raised with a German Shepherd who was really her bodyguard. She loved dogs and animals ever since then. So we started a foundation for animals.
What’s the core message of the foundation and your long-term goals?
When I post on Facebook or anyone asks, I always say the three same words: “Pay it forward.” We are blessed and have more than what we need while others don’t — especially the animals. They don’t have voices to shout out. Pay it forward. If you can help, help.
Looking ahead, we would love to get involved in disaster response. I’m a pilot and want to offer my services. Definitely watch this space!
Jean Sotiropoulos
Jean Sotiropoulos was an animal advocate and business owner who dedicated her life to building a better world for animals. Through Harbor Candy Shop, she shared her plant-based chocolates and treats with the Ogunquit community while working tirelessly to seek out pockets of the world in need of care. Her legacy lives on in those she inspired to love and protect animals everywhere.
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Jean Sotiropoulos dedicated her life to her family, friends, community and business — and to the animals who she held so dearly in her heart.
In the 1950’s, Jean moved to the beachfront neighborhood of Ogunquit, Maine, and discovered the storefront that she and her family would grow into a business that is now a staple of the community. Her parents, Lillian and George, opened the family-owned Harbor Candy Shop on Main Street, where Jean, along with her sisters Beverly and Marilyn, worked in all aspects of the business.
Harbor Candy grew, and eventually Jean became head of what is a cherished stop for both local community members as well as tourists on their summer trips in the region, often serving sweet treats to multi-generations. Jean was also proud to share with us her line of plant-based chocolates and treats that Harbor Candy continues to offer each season.
Jean was a passionate animal advocate and supporter. She traveled the world and shared stories of the side trips she had taken, seeking out little pockets of the world where animals were in need and where Jean would personally lend a hand.
All of us here at World Animal Protection are grateful to Jean for her dedication and support over her many decades as part of our extended family. We celebrate her life and legacy, and will forever be inspired by her commitment to ensuring animals everywhere are loved and protected.
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