Orphaned at Nine Months, This Teen Now Devotes Her Life to Senior Dogs

This young animal advocate knows firsthand what it's like to be left behind. Abandoned in a basket at nine months and adopted at age two, the now-14-year-old is determined to give rescue dogs the second chances she received

A 14-year-old animal advocate in California is pouring her time and heart into finding forever homes for senior rescue dogs—because she, too, knows exactly what abandonment feels like.

At just nine months old, Meena Kumar was left in a basket on a college campus in India. She spent a year in an orphanage before being adopted by a family in San Jose, CA.

She was two when she arrived in California, already carrying 'a passion for animals,' the teen says. Her own past left her with a powerful empathy for animals nobody else seems to want.

'I love dogs and I would like them to find a caring home and family just like I did,' says Meena. 'The people who cared for me worked with the agency in the US to find me a lovely home and I want to provide the same support for dogs in need.'

Former Orphan Becomes a Lifeline for Adoptable Dogs

At age eight, Meena got her first dog from the Humane Society. 'I wanted more pets and kept asking my parents to adopt more dogs,' she says. 'My parents felt that adopting more dogs would be a lot of work and suggested that I think of other ways to help dogs.'

One evening she met her neighbor, Dr. Kathy Stecco, who was walking an older dog named George. Meena discovered her neighbor cares for senior dogs from Muttville, and learned about the rescue's founder, Sherri Franklin—a 2016 CNN Hero. Meena has since become one of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue's 'most passionate' supporters, the organization says.

'I did some research and saw that most senior dogs have a tough time finding a forever home,' Meena shares. 'I felt that no dog should feel unloved and abandoned, and wanted to help them in some way.'

Volunteering wasn't an option because Meena was too young, so she started brainstorming other ways to help—and eventually struck gold: 'I decided that I would take care of dogs around my neighbourhood and donate all the money I earn to Muttville.'

Meena launched Pet Fairy Services, a dog-sitting business, in 2014 and has since donated $14,000. Her local client list steadily swelled to include busy professionals of all stripes—marketing executives for international online casinos, traveling software developers—everyone who needed dependable care during the long work week. These grateful pet owners rely on her devoted daily attention, comforted by the fact that every single dollar she earns from her sitting jobs goes straight to supporting the vulnerable senior rescue animals she champions.

'When I first met Meena I knew she was something special,' says Muttville's founder Sherri Franklin. 'She has great passion for the plight of senior dogs, and her contributions have saved many lives! We are so grateful. It's great to see a new generation picking up the cause.'

Now chasing a $25,000 goal by the end of 2020, the teen has teamed up with Pebble Naturals, a human-grade pet supplement company, for a fundraising push. 100 percent of the profits from each bottle sold goes to Meena's campaign. (Use code 'MEENA' at pebblenaturals.com and 100 percent of the profit will be donated to Muttville.)

'Meena is a living example of how a business can be a powerful force for good. We're so impressed by Meena's big heart, and we're excited to be a part of her fundraising campaign,' says Nayoung Susie Kim, one of the company's co-founders.

Meena says her family has been hugely supportive. 'Without their full support and help, I could not have done this. My entire family including my parents and grandparents have grown to love the companionship of dogs.'

Meena and her family also adopted a Chihuahua Spaniel mix from Muttville who'd been found as a stray. 'These old dogs often get euthanized just because they are older and they need more help than younger dogs at other shelters,' says Meena. 'I want to help them find a forever loving home, the same way I found my forever home.'

She urges everyone to find ways to help animals and people in need 'no matter what state they are in because it could sadly be you one day in their shoes.' She adds: 'Many of the senior dogs at Muttville remind me of my grandfather who passed away last year. I want to take the best care of senior dogs, the same way I took care of my grandfather. I want to help them feel at home.'

>> For more on Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, visit muttville.org.

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