By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer

Ohio Animal Advocates is powered by people who care deeply about improving the lives of animals across Ohio. We sat down with OAA Board Member Niki Johnson, whose background in animal rescue gives her firsthand insight into both the emotional and operational sides of animal welfare. From transporting and fostering dogs to helping start Rescued Ohio, Niki has spent years seeing what it takes to help animals in need and why preventing that need in the first place is so important.

Question: Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to join the Ohio Animal Advocates Board?

Johnson: I’ve always been an animal lover. When I was little, my dad used to do some work at an airport, and I would go with him and try to make friends with the stray cats living around the fields.

I became involved in animal rescue about 10 years ago and loved the work, but you see this constant stream of animals coming into rescue. Eventually, you start asking: How can we prevent this? What can we do upstream to prevent unwanted litters and animals from ending up in these situations in the first place?

That’s a big part of what inspired me to join Ohio Animal Advocates. We need better laws, better resources, and more ways to help people get their animals spayed and neutered.

I’ve also known Vicki for a long time. We first met at Humane Lobby Day about 13 or 14 years ago, when she was still with the ASPCA. I’ve stayed in touch with her over the years and have always known about and admired the work being done by Ohio Animal Advocates, so I was excited to have the opportunity to join the Board.

Question: How did you first get involved in animal welfare or advocacy work?

Johnson: I actually started by transporting animals and then became a foster. Eventually, a few of us left the rescue we were working with and started Rescued Ohio.

I served on the Board as treasurer and was also one of the coordinators, so I did a little bit of everything. That experience gave me the opportunity to see many of the challenges in animal rescue firsthand.

And fostering is still part of our lives. My husband and I fostered an entire litter this year. The requests for help are never-ending, which is another reminder of why addressing issues like spay/neuter and preventing unwanted litters is so important.

Question: What excites you most about being part of OAA at this moment?

Johnson: Spay/neuter is probably the most important issue to me because so much suffering is preventable. If we can help more people get their animals spayed and neutered and strengthen laws surrounding spay/neuter, we can prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of animals who ultimately need rescue.

Puppy mills are another huge issue for me. There is so much suffering involved, and I love that OAA is working hard to address that problem and advocate for dogs affected by commercial breeding.

Question: How does your background in rescue influence what you bring to the OAA Board?

Johnson: Having worked directly in rescue, I understand both the emotional and operational sides of animal welfare.

You see the individual animals and become emotionally invested in helping them, but you also see just how much time, work, money, and coordination it can take to help even one animal. I think having both of those perspectives is valuable and something I can bring to the Board.

Question: Do you share your life with any animals at home?

Johnson: Yes! We have two dogs, Haley and Andy, both girls and both rescues.

They actually both started out as fosters through Rescued Ohio and ended up staying with us — so they’re foster fails!

Question: What’s one memorable experience with an animal that has shaped your perspective on animal welfare?

Johnson: One foster who has always stayed with me was a little dog named Jenny — although we called her “Jenfur.”

She came to us with such severe mange that her entire head was essentially covered in scabs. She had been neglected, and her skin was cracked and obviously painful. She stayed with us for several months while she healed.

Despite everything she had been through, she was the most loving, sweet dog. Eventually, she found a wonderful family. Seeing an animal go through something like that and still be so loving really stays with you.

Question: What are your hopes for OAA’s future?

Johnson: I hope we can continue to broaden OAA’s reach. There are so many great programs and resources available, and I want more people to know about them.

The more people we reach, the more they can share that information with others. We all know people who may find themselves in difficult situations, so getting resources into more hands can help people better care for their animals and find support when they need it.

Question: If you could inspire one action from Ohioans to make a difference for animals, what would it be?

Johnson: Share the knowledge and resources you have.

Share information about puppy mills. Some people simply don’t realize that puppies sold in pet stores may come from puppy mills. The more people understand where these animals come from, the more informed decisions they can make.

The same applies to advocacy. Share OAA’s action alerts and resources. Contact your senators and representatives when legislation affecting animals comes up. The more people who speak up, the better chance we have of changing laws and improving protections for animals.

Sharing knowledge is key.

Question: What’s your “spirit animal,” or an animal you feel especially connected to, and why?

Johnson: Probably a fox. I’m very much an observer and a behind-the-scenes person. I like to watch and understand what’s happening before I jump in.

Plus, Andy kind of looks like a fox, so we’re always calling her our little fox!

Niki’s experience is a reminder that rescue work doesn’t end with helping the animal in front of us. Long-term change also means addressing the conditions that cause animals to need rescue in the first place — from expanding access to spay/neuter services to strengthening animal protection laws and educating consumers about puppy mills.

We’re grateful to have Niki’s rescue experience and perspective on the Ohio Animal Advocates Board as we continue working toward a better future for animals throughout Ohio.

Take Action

1. Follow in Niki’s footsteps. Help increase access to veterinary care and hold puppy mill breeders accountable for animal abuse by complet

COMPLETE THE ACTION ALERT

2. Looking for spay/neuter services? Check out our Statewide Directory.

3. Learn more about supporting legislation that protect dogs and puppies in mills, spread awareness about the plight of mill dogs, and encourage Ohioans to adopt a pet. Visit our Puppy Mill advocacy page.

4. Share this update and action alerts with friends and family!

5. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbo