"Listen, we've got an emergency on our hands. We've got to swing by the animal shelter and pick-up a kitty who's dying. I've got a veterinarian on standby to save her and we'll still get back to the station on time— promise!" Lucy Noland's world as a broadcast journalist has been lived by deadlines. On this particular day, she had just wrapped a shoot in the field and was racing to get back to the station when a call about a cat in need grabbed her heart. Though she had a newscast to edit then anchor, she had just enough time to beat that other deadline: the kitty's—and that one was literal. It all worked out. Kitty saved. Newscast made. Another day in the life of the journalist and animal advocate. Lucy has hopscotched across America in her career from Fairbanks, Alaska through the Bay Area, Detroit, New York City, Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. She's partial to the Vietnamese zodiac, the only Asian zodiac that has the Year of the Cat. After all, she was born in Saigon, Vietnam and happens to be mom to three humans and four cats (and a revolving door of feline fosters). Her biggest reward has always been helping those in need. Lucy's not so much into awards. But along the way, shows she's written, shows she's anchored, breaking news she's covered have picked up various awards: Emmys, Golden Mics, and Edward R. Murrow and AP Broadcasters. Her advocacy has rounded-up a number of honors as well including the Humane Society of the United States Pennsylvania Media Hero Award, Finding Shelter Animal Rescue's Lifetime Achievement Award and ACCT Philly's Media Partner Award.
A founding member of Archimedes’ Printing Shoppe & Sundry Goodes, S.J. Russell has a love for animals that runs deep. She is especially inspired by the ill-mannered and ill-tempered. And it is that inspiration that fueled her leadership of the municipal shelters in Chicago and Philadelphia in their life-saving efforts. A writer, attorney, animal advocate and volunteer, Russell has also authored the award-winning coffee table book titled, A Ruff Road Home: The Court Case Dogs of Chicago, and has self-published three children’s books: Shelter Dog Kisses, We Can’t Go There, We’re Bears and Mr. Bird and Mr. Cat: How ‘Bout That! Susan and her incredibly patient spouse are the parents of a houseful of wildly intellectual and book-loving cats. When these felines aren’t lounging in various boxes, they’re editing the Gata Unbound series and serve as consultants on the project.
Shelter Art artist, Kaity Lacy, creates expressive portraits of beloved pets rescued from all over the country, though she centers much of her work in her local Philadelphia community. The colorful paintings are bold and captivating not only visually, but are also packed with a mission to tell the stories of the animals she renders. It's important to her that their essence and spirits are captured, but also that their stories are represented. In each portrait she creates, a story unfolds and the animal's tale is revealed. Kaity partners with local animal rescues and donates portions of her portrait proceeds to aid in fundraising for these non-profit organizations. Thousands are raised yearly for small rescues that commit themselves to taking on the most desperate of cases. Her heart lies closely with those that pull from ACCT PHILLY; severely underfunded and overcrowded- ACCT is the only open intake shelter in Philadelphia, admitting all strays and owner surrendered pets for the entire area. ACCT posts daily lists of the animals most at risk of euthanasia at the end of the day. Rescuers hurry to find resources for funding and an experienced foster with sometimes only hours to spare. These are the rescues Kaity partners with and the stories that are shared through her art and their dedication to seeing the most in need animals, to their happy ending. Throughout the years she has worked with dozens of local organizations, but has partnered closely with One Love Animal Rescue, Fishtails Animal Rescue, None Lethal Options for Animals and PALS, both in donating pieces to support their mission but also in terms of fostering animals until their forever families can be found. Kaity's pieces tell stories of transformation through the bond of humans and animals. In addition to donated pieces, she does customized work as well, creating paintings that capture both the bright vitality and also the memories held close with sensitive drawings of those special pets who have passed on.