I am honored to announce that Demonte Moore has been voted the 2025 More Than a Pet Community Hero for the good he has done for his community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and its animals. Wisconsin Humane Society, the organization that nominated Moore, will receive $10,000 to boost its efforts for companion animals and the people who love them.
Thirteen years ago, when Demonte Moore saw a Pets for Life flyer in his neighborhood, he quickly chased down the team to introduce his 2-year-old dog, Piper, a big pit terrier mix, and to volunteer. He was looking for low-cost spay surgery for Piper. Since then, Moore consistently lets people know about Pets for Life events. During the COVID pandemic, Moore helped Pets for Life distribute pet food and supplies. “Where I come from, it’s not guaranteed that people help you,” he said. “I just prefer to help because I’m an animal person.”
Rodi Rosensweig
Through the Community Hero award, the More Than a Pet campaign acknowledges that the love of animals sparks so much kindness in communities across the country. So often, this everyday care and devotion goes unseen. We are honored to shine a spotlight on the good Moore and the other two finalists have been doing.
Across the U.S., families are struggling to afford necessities, including veterinary care and pet supplies. This hardship is even more severe for those afflicted by systemic poverty, and the over 20 million pets in the U.S. who live with them. In times in increasing wealth disparity and financial hardship, providing pet supplies and veterinary care at no cost to families becomes especially important.
The More Than a Pet campaign, which we launched in 2023, seeks to address this nationwide crisis by elevating awareness and providing solutions for those facing economic hardship and challenges in meeting their pets' essential needs. With campaign partners Smalls, Tractive and Hartz, and support from Jackson Galaxy—renowned cat behavior and wellness expert, author and television host—and NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball, More Than a Pet focuses on advancing equity and access to care to keep families and their pets together, happy and healthy.
Rodi Rosensweig
For years, we’ve been dedicated to supporting local communities to bridge systemic gaps in resources by increasing access to pet care through our Pets for Life and Rural Area Veterinary Services programs. These programs have served over 570,000 pets and their families.
A nationwide poll revealed that 43% of pet owners have faced financial barriers in their efforts to meet their pets' needs, and 91% of pet owners are willing to make personal sacrifices to care for their pets. With 89% of Americans agreeing that no one should have to give up a pet due to financial hardship, increasing access to essential pet care resources is critical to keeping families together.
Everyone can be a hero for animals in their local communities by offering a ride to a veterinary appointment for a friend or neighbor, buying an extra bag of cat or dog food, or fostering a pet if their guardian falls on hard times. Together, community by community, we can create a more humane, compassionate and caring world for everyone.
You can see more about Moore and the two other finalists in this video.
