About Me: Morgan Emerson

My Pets and I (L-R) Charlie and I posing in our matching bandanas; Malia attacking me with kisses; Annie perched on the nightstand; Otis and Jaxson, who’s guarding my dad like a bone.

Animals are not just pets or subjects of admiration; they are sentient beings with their own needs, emotions, and rights to live freely and without suffering. 

Hello! My name is Morgan Emerson, and I am a passionate advocate for our furry animal friends. As a family member of four dogs and one cat, I have a lot of experience in caring for and being cared for by these compassionate and loyal creatures. I've been deeply moved by the bond that exists between humans and animals, but my passion for animal welfare goes beyond affection—it’s rooted in a belief that we, as a society, have a responsibility to protect and care for the creatures we share space with.

Starting college in Philadelphia, I felt a profound loss living far away from my pets. The absence of a pet on my bed after a long, hard day or a happy, panting grin to greet me at my door made me appreciate the impact of pets in a way I hadn’t before. It was as though my love for my own pets started extending to all pets, and I started seeking out connections with animals whenever possible. 

In my third year of school, I moved to an apartment on a street with several outdoor cats. I’d interact with them and try to see if they were hungry, but it’s clear these cats were taking care of themselves. I started researching the topic of community cats in Philadelphia and stumbled across the larger problem of the city’s underfunded and overcrowded animal shelters. 

Thousands of animals are rescued and brought to shelters in Philadelphia every year. These animal refuges, facing abysmal budgets and a lack of support, often have to make the hard and critical choice of which animals to save and which to euthanize. Animals suffer from the consequences of humans—whether it be animal abuse, abandonment, neglect, or the sheer lack of responsibility and knowledge of the pet owner. Hundreds of amazing organizations and rescues are working to improve animal welfare and could use all the support possible. 

When I was tasked with creating a blog, I figured what better cause to write about than supporting and reinforcing Philadelphia animal shelters and saving animals in need? Throughout this blog, you’ll find data on the current animal welfare crisis in Philadelphia, information on the miseducation of pet owners, heartwarming stories of pets and their fosters, actionable solutions, and more. 

I wanted this blog to be an informative look at the reality of the crisis, but more than that, to exemplify and extend empathy towards animals that our society often lacks. People can take in pets for the worst, nefarious reasons, and rescuers do everything they can to get those animals out of those situations. But it’s also the pet owners who want a cute best friend to snuggle with for five out of the 24 hours of the day. A lot of the reasons for animal neglect are that people are grossly underprepared for the responsibilities of taking care of an animal, and it all starts with education and instilling compassion for animals at a societal level. 

Pets and animals are sentient beings with real, complex feelings and needs. This blog is meant to advocate for their rights and raise awareness about what it truly means to champion animal welfare in a city that desperately needs it. I hope you’ll take the time to explore my blog and learn about animal welfare in Philadelphia.