Eldad

Founder

I was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1975, and from day one on Earth, I was surrounded by animals.  My family moved a couple of times during my early childhood, and at the age of 5, we moved to Northern Israel, where I really started gaining a lot of experience because I was exposed to so many more animals: dogs, cats, hedgehogs, tortoises, and many different kinds of birds.  My neighbor down the block was a very kind veterinarian, and every time I found an animal in need, he guided me on how to care for them; he would give me the medications needed, and he never charged me... he just wanted to help.  

The example he set for me was very important because I knew from a very early age that this is what I wanted to do when I grew up - help animals!

Fast forward to 1998, I came to the United States, and I loved it here.  I landed in New York, spent a few months in Fort Lauderdale, and then traveled all across the country until I ended up in Los Angeles.  This was the Dot Com era, and I was a young computer guy... trying to figure out my life in a new country.  A couple of years later, a friend told me about two young kittens in need of help, and I immediately sprang into action and guided her on how to care for them.

This event sparked my desire to fulfill my childhood dream of helping animals, and for the next 8 years, we volunteered and fostered hundreds of dogs and cats.  I was always drawn to the medical cases and towards animals who were abused.  Dealing with abused animals required time and patience, but dealing with dogs with many broken bones required a lot of money because medical care here is so expensive!  Every month I would have to ask the founder of Ace of Hearts for help covering another surgery and another surgery, and I know it was challenging.

After years of volunteering for other rescue groups, I decided it was time to take it to the next level and start an organization so we could handle our own fundraising.  On June 11th, 2008 (a day before my 33rd birthday) we got approved by the IRS, and Hope For Paws was officially born.

In 2012, Hope For Paws had its biggest moment when Fiona's rescue video went viral, which really helped us grow.  It enabled me to hire the first Hope For Paws employee. 

We are a small organization here in Los Angeles, but thanks to YouTube, Facebook, and all our supporters who are sharing our rescue videos, we are reaching millions of people all over the world.  I am so happy to receive letters and emails every week from people sharing how our work influenced their lives, inspired them, and helped them save animals on every continent.

Over the years, I have assembled the most amazing team that is so dedicated to their work.  We work day and night; we work on weekends and holidays; we work above ground and sometimes in sewers underground, and I am just so proud to be working with them.  This year has been a rough one, but for the homeless animals it's always rough so we kept working through it.

Thank you so much for supporting our efforts by donating and by adding Hope For Paws to your wills so your legacy will carry on in the future.

I promise we will continue to make you proud for being a part of our team!