Abandoned in a basket on a college campus in India as an infant, Meena Kumar knows what it’s like to need a little love. That’s why she’s drawn to the pups that are most often overlooked—senior dogs living out their golden years in animal shelters.
Snuggling with four-legged seniors became her passion, and that dedication is helping to support second-chances for dozens of dogs, even after being told she was too young to volunteer.
“More people should adopt senior dogs,” she told CNN. “They give you the same unconditional love as any other dog.”
The 14-year-old’s love for canines began when she was no taller than a Schnauzer.
She spent a year in an Indian orphanage, before being adopted by a couple in Mumbai. As a two-year-old, she lovingly spent hours caring for newborn pups in her family’s apartment.
“My parents were worried about how to keep me amused in a small place,” she told TODAY. “Thankfully, a dog had laid a litter of puppies, and I used to spend hours every day watching and playing with them.”
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Kumar’s doggie dedication continued when she was brought to San Jose, California, where she insisted the family make regular visits to the Humane Society. When she was eight, they adopted Bambie, a mixed-breed pooch she spent hours training to do tricks.
Two years ago, as she was walking Bambie, she met a neighbor who had adopted through Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. She told Kumar about the nonprofit’s cage-free rescue operation that gives senior dogs a “second chance at life.” The organization rescues about 1,000 dogs per year and runs mostly through the help of volunteers.
“I know what it feels like to be left behind,” Kumar thought. “The dogs may be senior and old, but they’re so friendly and cute. They’re the most gentle and loyal creatures.”
She enjoyed visiting the aging dogs at the rescue, but because she was 12 at the time, Kumar was five years too young to volunteer.
The zealous girl wouldn’t let ageist rules stop her. She decided to raise money for them, instead, because, “You’re never to young to start a business,” she said with a smile.
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She launched a petsitting business called Pet Fairy Services—and it took off. With rates of $35 per day, Kumar raised an impressive $7,000 in two years—and she donated it all to Muttville. A matching grant through Intel, where her dad works, meant her donation ended up topping $14,000.
Even though the coronavirus pandemic has slowed things down for many nonprofits, the popularity of fostering and adopting dogs has skyrocketed.
“It feels great to know that I’ve saved many dogs’ lives and given them another chance to enjoy life for their last years of living,” she told TODAY. “I feel like all dogs should get a forever home just like I did.”
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