You've probably seen the viral Facebook campaign Humans of New York pop up in your newsfeed; now, a new initiative called Dogs of New York is taking over the city in an effort to improve the lives of animals and their owners.
"It's a way to celebrate the diversity of the people of New York, but also the universal bond that people have with their pets," says Kim Wolf, the Founder and Executive Director of Brooklyn-based nonprofit Beyond Breed. She tells the Huffington Post that she meets a lot of people who love their pets but struggle with the financial burdens associated with having a dog in the city. So each day, she mounts her Ruff Rider bike mobile to distribute food and other expensive necessities to pet owners in need. She essentially pairs the narrative of Humans of New York with the access she has to animal goods and services.
Dilma Yearwood, a client and volunteer for Ruff Riders, tells the Huffington Post that she credits her dogs with saving her life during a difficult time and can't imagine having to give them up. "There's certain times that I don't have enough for me to eat," she says, "but I make sure that they eat." These are the people who benefit most from the services provided by Ruff Riders.
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