Interview:Dr. Marc Abraham: Difference between revisions

Marc: It's unbelievable. The criticisms and backlash I've faced in the past years. Some people genuinely believe that having no laws would be better. But Lucy's Law has made a significant impact by raising awareness and changing behavior. It has banned the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. There's still more work to be done, no doubt about that. But holding breeders accountable was always the crucial first step.

'''Billie: Absolutely, that's a great point. So let's talk about the importance of collaboration, and one of your notable campaigns in fostering collaboration was Paws to Connect.'''

Marc: I was already aware of the challenges faced by our local shelter and the R.S.P.C.A. Even before the pandemic, these issues existed. However, with the pandemic, new problems emerged, such as puppies not being properly socialized due to social distancing measures. As a result, we now have puppies and dogs experiencing separation anxiety, which is a widespread issue worldwide. These dogs require more rehabilitation, time, and work with behaviorists, making them harder to rehome. Additionally, loneliness is a significant problem globally, exacerbated by social media and the pandemic itself. In contrast, pets provide unconditional love and companionship. In Brighton, we have a loneliness charity called Together Co. and the R.S.P.C.A., and I saw an opportunity to bring them together. Thus, we launched the "Paws to Connect" campaign, aiming to address human loneliness through fostering and adoption. It's an obvious solution—a complete no-brainer. To kickstart the campaign, we received support from actor Peter Egan and mental health advocate Gail Porter, both of whom have rescue animals. Despite the unfavorable weather, our launch was incredibly successful because it represented something bigger than just weather conditions. Now, we are planning to expand this concept nationwide. Collaboration is a key principle for grassroots campaigners like myself, and I believe it's essential to pool resources and work with like-minded individuals and organizations. It's truly heartwarming to be able to work together to find new homes for animals and tackle the issues of loneliness and mental health. Nowadays, I find myself playing more of a facilitating role, utilizing my extensive network of contacts to connect people and make things happen.

Marc: Just be nice. Exactly.

*[https://www.wikianimal.org/en/index.php/Dr%20Marc%20Abraham Dr Marc Abraham]

*[https://www.wikianimal.org/en/index.php/Lucy's%20Law Lucy's Law]

[[Category:Interviews]]