Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity [CARE] is a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC] led organization inspired to rethink and rebuild Animal Welfare [Animal Protection]. Our goal is to do this in a way that honors and reflects the well-being of all people; making Human and Animal Well-being our primary focus.
While well-intended toward animals, the Animal Welfare [Animal Protection] Field often falls short of its mission because its philosophy and practices often don’t include human well-being. That includes the field’s failure to be inclusive and less biased toward People of Color and other marginalized groups. The harm and lack of inclusion within the Animal Welfare field [Sheltering, Animal Control, Pet Adoption, Veterinary Education and Medicine, Pet Retail] are rarely addressed even though these collective sectors touch millions and have an economic impact of well over 100 Billion Dollars. As a counterbalance, CARE is creating equitable spaces and policies using a multidisciplinary approach.
To that end, we take a Scholar Advocate approach to Research and Development. This means our research team is in the field, partnering with communities in a quest for information used to tailor solutions. Our Narrative Division is focused on Truth Telling because it’s so needed, and so often more beautiful than fiction. Our CARE Center Division is working with underserved BIPOC communities throughout the country helping to build and assist Human and Animal related organizations. And our Environmental Justice & Policy Division adds a much need layer of policy protection and advocacy over the whole of what we do.
CARE is ultimately a collection of passionate activists and deep thinkers focused on better outcomes for people and pets. But unlike other large Animal Protection organizations, and Non for Profits generally, CARE is not attempting to do the work best done by those directly impacted by inequities. We are however creating tools and opportunities for marginalized people to rebuild their own communities.
CARE’S ARCHITECTURE IS DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE AND SUSTAIN HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELL-BEING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. IT’S A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO KEEP PEOPLE AND PETS SAFE WITHIN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES – THUS REDUCING THE BURDEN ON ACCESS TO CARE, ANIMAL CONTROL, SHELTERING, AND ANIMAL WELFARE
The thin white line within the graphic represents Access to Veterinary Care. There is a growing shortage of veterinarians throughout the U.S., and the need for vet care is even more drastic among marginalized communities. Lack of access to care for marginalized groups too often leads to punitive enforcement or forced surrenders of family members.
CARE’s Engagement Division is the voice of all things CARE. Engagement actively reaches all aspects of Animal Welfare, Human and Animal Well-Being, community, and beyond to forge meaningful relationships based on trust and shared commitment.
CARE’s Circle of Learning and Leadership is a unique BIPOC-led educational experience with an ecosystem centered on Deep Listening, Racial Equity, Community Wisdom, and Access to Preventive Care. Our goal is to bridge the information gap between traditional Animal Welfare and marginalized communities.
CARE’s Community Animal Care [CAC] model is a hybridized system of community-based volunteers and paid staff who provide essential services to people with pets and Proximate Leaders.
The CARE CENTER program is an organized system designed to provide community advocates with the tools and access they need to continue lifting their communities and pets in the face of systematic challenges.
