By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer
For Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA) Board Member Reese Albright, animal welfare is about more than protecting animals. It's about building stronger communities, advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves, and working together to create lasting change.
Based in Cleveland, Reese is an estate planning attorney who brings a unique perspective to animal advocacy, particularly when it comes to ensuring pets are cared for after their owners pass away. From his involvement with OAA's Policy Committee to his passion for responsible consumer choices, Reese believes that everyone has a role to play in improving the lives of animals.
We recently sat down with Reese to learn more about his journey into animal advocacy, his hopes for OAA's future, and his rescue dog, Frankie.
Question: Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to join the Ohio Animal Advocates Board?
Albright: Animals have always been a big part of my life. I grew up with dogs and have always cared deeply about animal welfare.
I first became involved with OAA through a friend and colleague who was already serving on the Board. I attended an OAA-sponsored event about the connection between animal and human violence, which inspired me to join the organization's Policy Committee.
Through the committee, I've had the opportunity to learn about developments in state law and discuss how we can use our professional backgrounds and skills to advance animal welfare.
When a position opened on the Board, it felt like the perfect opportunity to become more involved. I knew I had the passion, but I also wanted to learn from people with more experience in advocacy and discover how I could make a meaningful impact.
Question: How did you first get involved in animal welfare or advocacy work?
Albright: OAA is actually my first hands-on experience with an animal welfare advocacy organization. Growing up, my family adopted dogs, and animals have always held a special place in my heart.
Many of my fellow Board members have spent years volunteering or working with animal welfare organizations, so I've appreciated the opportunity to learn from their experiences.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and I feel like I hit the jackpot starting with OAA!
Question: What excites you most about being part of OAA at this moment?
Albright: For me, it's the connections and the opportunity to work alongside people who share the same passion. I'm based in Cleveland, but through OAA, I get to collaborate with people from across Ohio who genuinely care about making a difference.
There's a proverb I often think about: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
That really captures what I love about OAA. Every meeting brings new developments, ideas, and opportunities to work toward our shared goals.
One issue I've become particularly interested in is the connection between animal abuse and human violence, often referred to as The Link. Before joining OAA, I hadn't fully considered how closely these issues were connected.
When we educate people about this relationship, they begin to understand that animal welfare isn't just about improving the lives of animals. It's also about protecting our friends, families, and communities.
Question: Are there particular advocacy areas within OAA's work that you feel most passionate about?
Albright: As an estate planning attorney, one issue that's especially important to me is planning for the future care of pets.
Most of us consider our pets members of the family, but under Ohio law, animals are legally considered property. That distinction can create challenges when someone passes away without making arrangements for their pets.
Without a plan in place, pets may become the responsibility of a person's next of kin, who might not have the resources, ability, or desire to care for them. In some cases, that could mean an animal ends up in a shelter.
That's why I encourage pet owners to have conversations with their families about who would care for their animals if something happened to them. It's also important to speak with an attorney about putting the appropriate legal documents in place.
A little planning can go a long way toward making sure the animals we love end up in safe, caring hands.
Question: Do you share your life with any animals at home? Tell us a little about them!
Albright: Yes! My wife and I have a rescue dog named Frankie, a Pit Bull and Labrador Retriever mix we adopted from City Dogs in Cleveland.
We aren't exactly sure how old he is, but we estimate he's around five to seven years old.
When we first brought Frankie home, he was extremely fearful of people. We don't know much about his background, but it seemed like he may have had some difficult experiences with humans before coming into our lives.
Over the years, with training, patience, and care, he's made tremendous progress. He's much more comfortable around people now, although he can still be a little guarded.
Frankie absolutely loves being outdoors. Hiking and swimming in Lake Erie are two of his favorite activities!
Question: What's one memorable experience that shaped your perspective on animal welfare?
Albright: When I was younger, I watched a documentary showing how animals were treated on dairy farms and in slaughterhouses.
Seeing that footage had a lasting impact on me. Animals may not be able to communicate with us through words, but they can certainly express fear, pain, and distress.
That experience reinforced my belief that we have a responsibility to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
To me, that's what animal welfare is really about. It's recognizing that animals deserve compassion and using our voices to protect them.
Question: What are your hopes for OAA's future?
Albright: I hope OAA continues to grow and becomes an organization that more people across Ohio recognize and support.
It's been exciting to see our outreach expand and more people engage with our work. The more people who learn about our mission, the greater our opportunity to make a difference.
One thing I appreciate about animal welfare is its ability to bring people together. Regardless of political beliefs or backgrounds, so many people share a love for animals.
I hope we can continue building on that common ground, growing our community, and keeping our mission at the forefront of everything we do.
Question: If you could inspire one action from Ohioans to make a difference for animals, what would it be?
Albright: I would encourage people to take a more proactive approach to what they consume, particularly when it comes to animal-derived food products.
There are many labels that sound positive, such as "free-range," "cage-free," or "humanely raised," but it's important to understand what those claims actually mean.
I encourage consumers to look beyond marketing language and research how animals are treated by the companies producing the products they purchase.
When people make informed choices and support businesses that prioritize animal welfare, it can help create greater demand for more humane practices.
Our everyday purchasing decisions can have an impact, and I think that's something we should all be more conscious of.
Question: What's an animal you feel especially connected to, and why?
Albright: I'd have to say a hawk.
What I admire about hawks is their ability to see the bigger picture. They can observe a vast area from above, but when they identify their target, they become incredibly focused.
I think that's a valuable approach to problem-solving.
It's important to step back, consider different perspectives, and recognize how our own biases might influence our thinking. Once we understand the bigger picture and identify the problem, we can focus our attention on finding an effective solution.
That's how I try to approach challenges, both professionally and in advocacy.
Question: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Albright: I'm incredibly grateful to have found OAA and to be part of an organization filled with people who genuinely care about making a difference.
Even though I'm relatively new to the Board, I've already seen how much progress the organization has made, and I'm excited about what's ahead.
I truly believe OAA will continue to grow and make an even greater impact in the years to come.
Follow in Reese’s Footsteps
Reese's story is a reminder that you don't need decades of advocacy experience to make a difference for animals. Whether you're lending your professional expertise, making informed consumer choices, planning for your pets' futures, or simply learning more about animal welfare issues, every action matters.
You can make a difference, too.
1. Visit our Action Alerts page and easily send a letter to your legislator on the issue(s) most important to you!
2. Learn more about supporting estate and pet planning on our blog.
3. Share this update and action alerts with friends and family!
4. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.
