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I am kicking off this year with a new interview series called “Coffee with…”. I am really excited to share some great people I have/will meet over the next year. To begin this series, I couldn’t be more excited to introduce you all to Brittany Bang (pictured on the right below) and Li Ward (pictured on the left below), the authors and creative brains behind the book – Rescue Pets of Boston (the best addition to my coffee table book collection thus far!!). I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know these two and they are not only so fun to be around, but they are also very talented, passionate and just all around phenomenal women. After they so graciously gifted me a book, I opened up the pages to beautiful imagery by Li and words that took me back to when Cody rescued little Bella in Oklahoma for me. She has been apart of our relationship since day one and I don’t really know what I would do without that little girl. This book means so much to me and I can’t wait to share the background of it all with you. That being said, let’s get into the interview, shall we?!
Name: Brittany Bang
Boston Neighborhood you live in: Back Bay
Pets: Kendall (5 ½ year old Boxer dog) Tess (6 year old tuxedo cat) Yogi (5 ½ year old Maine Coon Cat) and Bella (4 year old Chinchilla)
Name: Li Ward
Boston Neighborhood you live in: South End
Pets: Bingley (4.5 year-old Maine Coon mix)
Before the book, what were you each doing professionally?
BB – I was running a retail business on Newbury Street called Audrey’s Pet Supply & Services. It has been a dream of mine to open and run my own retail business and we were incredibly successful for several years until we were forced to close our doors due to a rent increase. I was devastated to have to close, not only for me, but for all the amazing customers and fear of losing the network of animal lovers that our store had helped build. Our store was incredibly active in the animal welfare community as well, something that I was determine to continue even after having to close.
Li – I was/am a professional pet photographer and wedding photographer in Boston. There’s been more of emphasis on weddings these days, so it was really great to get back to photographing so many animals.
What sparked the idea of Rescue Pets of Boston?
BB – When I was at my store, I would talked to people about their pets ALL DAY LONG. There was just something different about the way people told a story about their rescue pet. They were so proud. It was like someone who had found something priceless in a yard sale; what is one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Rescue animals for the most part come with a unique story that their owners are actually really eager to tell. I loved the spark in the owners eye when they would tell me about the lengths that they took to find their perfect rescue (and may times that rescue pets actually finds us). I loved hearing these stories and wanted to capture that but knew if I ever did anything, it would have to give back to charity. It just didn’t seem right to capitalize on rescue animals where there are thousands of amazing animals being put down every day in the US because of overpopulation in shelters. I wanted to help make a difference by telling the unique stories of some of the lucky rescue pets to help change the perception and giving back at the same time.
Li, the book is filled with beautiful imagery spotlighting Boston and these amazing rescue animals, do you have a favorite pet that you photographed?
Li – This is such a hard question as they were all so cute and fun and funny. But I will always have a soft spot for Figaro, the handsome black and white Norwegian Forest Cat. Figaro and I have a history that goes far back to 2009 when I was just starting out my pet photography business and I volunteered at the Animal Rescue League, snapping pictures for PetFinder. Figaro was there and was my first model. He already had quite a history at the ARL and was even adopted out once only to be brought back in. He was a misunderstood lovebug that I instantly became attached to, and I was thrilled when he finally found an amazing home. Photographing him behind a caged door back then makes photographing him today rolling around all relaxed on his owner’s bed such a rewarding and happy experience!
Brittany, what did you learn most about yourself in the transition from owning Audrey’s, a pet store located on Newbury St. in Boston, to your current endeavors?
BB – Having to close the doors of my store for the last time was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I was devastated to put it lightly. I had worked SO HARD to build my store and then to have to close due to no fault of my own was so painful. I started to live by every cliché in the book – When one door closes, another opens. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Etc. While it’s hard to understand ANYTHING hard in life (and there are people out there that have experienced things much harder than losing a business) I really truly believe that everything happens for a reason even though it might take some time for that reason to become clear. I feel so blessed to have had to support of my customers at Audrey’s and now into my new ventures including Rescue Pets of Boston. Li and I would have NEVER published this book and in return been able to raise considerable funds for some amazing animal welfare organizations if I still had my store. I have remained committed to a cause that is very important to me (animal welfare) and that is really the best gift at all.
All proceeds of the book go to charities (which is fantastic!!) – can you tell us a little more about this process and the different charities?
BB – When I first thought loosely of this project, I was really committed to making it about raising money for charity. I work very closely with SEVERAL different organizations and can honestly say that there are so amazing people out there that give so much of themselves back to help animals. It’s really moving. I know my own limitations and can’t foster, or adopt any more pets, or even personally give that much money but I knew I could give something… I could give my time, my skills, and rally my network to help. I NEVER wanted this book to be about anything other than highlight the importance of rescue work. I wanted to help change people’s perceptions that rescue animals are dirty and damaged. I wanted people to flip through this book and think “awwwww” I want a dog/cat/bunny/etc. just like that one! I wanted people to realize that their perfect pet could be waiting for them at their local shelter. The biggest challenge was I needed to find a talented photographer that could help bring this book to life who was as crazy as I was and want to donate their time and skills because they too believed in the cause…
When it came to selecting our charitable recipients, we really just wanted to spread the love and highlight a few different organizations that are near and dear to our hearts that all have lightly different missions.
BB – I have worked very closely with the MSPCA as I am on their Board of Overseers and have worked on several different projects with them so I really wanted to continue furthering their message.
Li’s kitty, Bingley, was from the ARL and she lives only a block away from them. She has done some photography work there and has several close friends who volunteer at the ARL.
I thought it was VERY important to highlight a foster only organization because they are often overlooked due to the fact they don’t have a physical shelter location. One Tail at a Time Rescue is an amazing organization that is 100% run on a volunteer basis and they take in dogs from high-kill shelters, mainly in the rural south, and puts them in foster homes until they are adopted out.
Fairy Dog Parents was an organization that I had just started to work with when my store had to close. I was so impressed with what the team there did, I was really determined to help them and have them be one of our charitable recipients. What better way to keep dogs out of shelters then by helping them stay with their owners in the first place? Fairy Dog Parents does just that! They provide assistance with food, medical and general wellness needs to dogs to provide hope to families and keep them together.
Li and I are both “cat people” so we thought it would be great to highlight a cat specific rescue organization and we are both in total awe of the Gifford Cat Shelter. They are actually a sanctuary located in Brighton, MA that provides cats with high quality care in a cage-less and no-kill environment! It is such a warm and welcoming environment and we are just so proud to be able to support them.
What has been your favorite part of working with one another to create the book, Rescue Pets of Boston?
BB – Everything. Seriously. Getting to work with Li on this book has truly been one of the absolutely highlights of my life both personally and professionally. They say not to mix work with friends and I know from experience how challenging it can be but feel so extremely lucky that this was not the case for us (or maybe I should read her answer first, LOL)!!! I wanted to work with Li because she is the best in the business but I also really enjoyed her as a friend. However, I can honestly say that after working hip to hip for 6 months our friendship is even strong which is amazing. We balance each other out really nicely and were lucky that we worked so well together but I also think that it is a testament to our dedication to the mission of Rescue Pets of Boston.
Li – Everything. What Brittany said. Brittany was an organizational beast so basically all I had to do was show up for a shoot…and she’d be the one to chauffeur me there too! If I could have her book and schedule my entire photography business I would be a pretty happy clam. There would be some days where we would photograph three, four animals, and we’re both exhilarated and exhausted afterwards…that’s when we’d drive up to Tasty Burger and talk about how the shoots went over burgers and fries and a cold beer or two. That was fun 🙂
Lastly, what would you recommend for someone who is looking to volunteer to help animals?
There is a beautiful saying that goes “If you can’t adopt – Foster. If you can’t foster – sponsor. If you can’t sponsor – Volunteer. If you can’t volunteer – donate. If you can’t donate – educate.” It just basically means, we can all do something. I couldn’t do a lot of the things listed above so I figured out a way to still help and make an impact. I figured out how to educate people on the importance of rescue work by donating my time to create this book. And Li did the same. And at the end of the day, that is something to really be proud of. AND, if you still need help on how to get started, let us know and we’ll be happy to help identify some opportunities to volunteer!
You can purchase your very own copy of Rescue Pets of Boston here and help the rescue foundations mentioned above!
Thank you Brittany & Li!!