Melville, NY – Valerie Heffron and Tommy DiMisa, co-hosts of the Professional & Animal Lovers (PALS) Weekly radio show/podcast series, honored three local animal advocates, Regina Mendoza of Camp Happy Tails NYC, John Di Leonardo Humane Long Island, and Renee Kraft certified trapper who collaborates with Animal Lifeline Corporation, for their respective work in the education, support and advocation on behalf of animals at PALS’ Inaugural Compassion Awards this past Tuesday, October 11 at 5:30pm. 

The PALS event took place at The Refuge in Melville, NY where 75 people recognized these individuals for being exceptional animal advocates, with a “Pet-working” event and champagne toast.

John Di Leonardo is an anthrozoologist, wildlife rehabilitator, and president of Humane Long Island, Long Island’s leading animal advocacy organization and the premier domestic fowl rescue from Manhattan to Montauk. 

Regina Mendoza is Founder & Executive Director of Camp Happy Tails NYC. She started a as a volunteer for a rescue, doing home visits, transports and walking dogs who were sitting in vets’ offices and boarding facilities. In August 2014, Charlie became her first foster. After Charlie was adopted, there was another, and another, and more and more dogs of various breads, ages, sizes and abilities. This soon evolved into what is now Camp Happy Tails NYC.

 Renee Kraft has been trapping cats and kittens for decades to perform Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) decreasing the numbers of feral cats on Long Island. She is a certified trapper and works with Animal Lifeline Corporation. You can often find her TNR’ing at industrial parks where many feral cats are not cared for.  

Each of the three honorees received awards aligned with their dedication and award titles created by PALS were an homage to three noted animal advocates, Gandhi, Bob Barker and Betty White.