At Humane World for Animals, we believe no one should be denied the opportunity to experience the benefits, joy and comfort that come from the human-animal bond due to a lack of access to pet resources.
I am thrilled to announce that our More Than a Pet campaign—which supports our work to expand access to affordable veterinary care, pet food and pet-inclusive housing—has chosen three heroes for their outstanding contributions within their community: Chantal Wadsworth of Shiprock, New Mexico; Jewell Brown of Nashville, Tennessee; and Luisa Lopez of Atlanta, Georgia.
Through acts of kindness, these individuals are working to improve a crisis that has reached national proportions: Currently, more than 20 million pets across the U.S. live with families experiencing poverty or in underserved areas, where access to pet care services is scarce. For years, our programs in access to care, Pets for Life and Rural Area Veterinary Services, have been transforming the lives of dogs, cats and other companion animals by closing the service gap that exists for people and pets in underserved areas.
Our More Than a Pet campaign, for the third year running, has been honoring community heroes. Our heroes receive $5,000 for their efforts to increase access to care in their communities. Now your vote will help decide who will be named the 2026 More Than a Pet Community Hero. The local organization that nominated the winner will receive an additional $10,000 grant to provide essential support services for people and pets. The organizations nominating the two runners-up will receive $2,500.
Here are this year’s finalists:
Chantal Wadsworth, Partnership with Native Americans, Shiprock, New Mexico
Vernan Kee
Nominated by Partnership with Native Americans, Chantal Wadsworth has dedicated her life to animal welfare in a community where access to resources is extremely limited. With only two veterinary clinics on the Navajo Nation and significant barriers related to cost, distance, transportation and language, she ensures families can get the veterinary care they need by providing financial support, coordinating appointments and personally transporting pets to appointments.
Chantal regularly connects residents to clinics, offers her personal phone number to those without internet access and provides guidance in the Navajo language to ensure elders and families facing financial challenges are not excluded. She also founded the first-ever pet pantry on the Navajo Nation.
Jewell Brown, Pet Community Center, Nashville, Tennessee
Nicholas Grieves/Boxset Productions
Jewell Brown has built a home rooted in kindness—one that has long welcomed animals and people alike who are in difficult situations. Nominated by Pet Community Center, Jewell is known as a trusted and consistent source of support for her community, particularly for people and pets experiencing housing insecurity.
Through her personal efforts and volunteer work, she regularly provides warm meals, clothing and essential supplies, always keeping pet food on hand for distribution as needed. She also provides access to vaccines, spay and neuter services and wellness care to ensure pets receive both immediate and long-term care. Through her everyday acts of compassion, Jewell consistently removes barriers that people often experience in her community.
Luisa Lopez, LifeLine Animal Project, Atlanta, Georgia
Nicholas Grieves/Boxset Productions
Luisa Lopez is known as a hero in her neighborhood, not because she seeks recognition, but simply because she cares. Nominated by LifeLine Animal Project, Luisa’s commitment has made a real, lasting difference for animals and the people who love them, in a community where resources are limited.
Luisa has multiple companion animals of her own, most of whom have come to her through friends and neighbors. In addition to opening her heart and home when people are struggling to care for their pets, her compassion extends far beyond the animals in her home. Luisa takes care of community cats in her area, providing them with food and water and checking in on them regularly. She also works to trap, neuter and return cats in the neighborhood.
Over the years, animals of all kinds have passed through her care, from turtles found on the side of the road to rabbits taken in from a neighbor who could no longer keep them. Luisa steps in whenever and wherever she can.
Humane World for Animals/
2026 More Than a Pet Community Hero
The More Than a Pet Community Hero Award honors three finalists for their exceptional contributions to advancing equity in access to pet care and resources within their communities. Your vote will help decide who will be named the 2026 More Than a Pet Community Hero and determine which community will receive a $10,000 grant to provide essential support services for people and pets.
Our More Than a Pet campaign, which launched in 2023, raises awareness of the too often overlooked crisis in access to pet care, and supports our work to increase resources in underserved areas. Thanks to the generosity of partners such as Cogir Senior Living, Smalls, Ace Cash Express and Hartz, we can continue to help keep people and their beloved pets together.
Through their compassion and commitment to showing up for others, Chantal, Jewell and Luisa demonstrate the immense impact a person can have on their community and the difference one person can have on the lives of countless people and pets.
You can share the stories of these inspiring heroes and encourage your friends and family to vote once daily until April 8, 2026.
Kitty Block is president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. Follow Kitty Block.
