By Chris Ramon
Over the past few weeks, you’ve heard from me and members of my incredible team at Pasadena Humane as we navigated the challenges of the Eaton fire.
While this disaster tested us all, it also revealed the true strength of our community — the unwavering support, teamwork and shared dedication to our mission. Seeing this firsthand has been both humbling and inspiring.
As the new author of this column, I look forward to sharing more stories of hope, resilience, and the countless happy endings we create for animals in need — including those affected by the Eaton fire. But first, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself.
For as long as I can remember, a love for animals has been a central part of who I am. Like many of you, I grew up with pets. That experience of sharing my life with them sparked a lifelong desire to help animals in need.
I remember the first time I reunited a lost dog with its family. I must have been about seven or eight when I found a dog wandering the streets of my La Cañada neighborhood. Thankfully, the dog had a collar with its owner’s contact information. To this day, I vividly remember the owners’ joy in finding their beloved pup. Helping animals became part of my life’s mission from that moment on.
I started volunteering at Pasadena Humane when I was in high school. Even then, I knew I was part of something special. For many years, however, I believed the only way to have a career in animal welfare was to become a veterinarian.
That all changed when I accepted my first leadership role in animal welfare over a decade ago at Michelson Found Animals. My love for animals evolved into a meaningful career — one that I’ve been fortunate to continue at Pasadena Humane since joining the organization in 2018.
Now, with more than 20 years of experience leading teams and expanding programs, I have learned that in addition to strategy and decision-making, it’s about inspiring people, fostering collaboration and creating…
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