#PledgeKindness Pet Parade Spokesdoggy Address
The Context
On Saturday, May 17, FarmKind hosted its first-ever Pledge Kindness Pet Protest Parade in collaboration with Château Le Woof, New York City’s first dog café. The joyful, pet-focused event successfully raised awareness and encouraged compassionate action for all animals (not just our beloved pets) to launch the Kind to All Animals Pledge
New Yorkers from all boroughs gathered with their furry friends at Château Le Woof in Astoria, Queens, to march in the Pet Protest Parade. The vibrant community event featured pets dressed in imaginative costumes, a red carpet photo-op, and a spirited costume contest. Astoria local Gia Diamond took home the grand prize of $250 cash — presented by David Roberts, founder of Proper Pet Care NYC — dazzling attendees with her Poppa Pope-inspired ensemble.
To kick off the proceedings, we had an address from our Spokesdoggy, Lola — translated to “human” by FarmKind co-founder, Thom Norman.
The address
Thom: "“Hello everyone! I'm Thom, co-founder of FarmKind the non-profit behind today’s event. I’m here to be translator for Lola le Woof our official Spokesdoggy for today's Pet Protest Parade, who has some important things to share with you all, which I’ll be translating from dog to human on their behalf Ready Lola?”
Lola: “I beat stiff competition to be chosen as today’s Spokesdoggy: a golden retriever with an MBA, a fintech‑poodle, even Morgan Freeman’s chihuahua.
A dog giving a speech? Why not? I do human things, like enjoying the occasional puppucino or binge-watching reality tv. Plus, I’ve got my own Instagram! And you humans follow us with plastic bags to collect poop, so who’s really weird here? But anyway, I digress.
My point is, we pets have it good: cuddles, safe homes, and a life free from fear and pain. But many of our cousins don’t. Like the pigs, cows, and chickens crammed in warehouses. Or wildlife struggling survive. There are even some folk testing cosmetics on rabbits, monkeys and other furry folks!
I saw a bit of a documentary on factory farms… and those animals never feel grass or sun! I mean, I get anxious if my walk is delayed. If we dogs were treated that way, there’d be riots.
Some of these animals might look a bit funny. And obviously they’re not as adorable as me. But then, really who is… Anyway, the point is, they're feeling beings too!
They feel joy, fear, pain. While I get belly rubs, they spend life in cages. No walks, no treats, no freedom to do the things that make them who they are.
And look, I get it. I'm not a good doggo all the time. I still chase squirrels sometimes. I’ve barked at a mailman or two. But at least I have the chance to express my natural behaviours: to be myself, quirks and all.
So today FarmKind launches the Kind to All Animals Pledge – four simple promises to help each of pets, farmed animals, animals in labs and on farms:
Pets — Adopt first: I pledge to prioritize adoption for future pets, giving animals in need loving homes and a second chance.
Farmed — Donate: I pledge to donate regularly to expert-recommended charities working to end the cruelest factory farming practices.
Lab — Shop cruelty‑free: I pledge to choose cruelty-free personal care products certified by independent organizations.
Wild animals — Humane pest control: I pledge to use only humane methods for pest control in my home. Those uninvited critters don’t realize the trouble they’re causing and there are humane ways to fix these issues.
Easy actions, big impact. So take the pledge, then strut our red carpet for a photo – and help animals who never get theirs taken.
Join me. Because a world that’s kind to all animals is something worth barking about.
Now go take that pledge, get your photo, and be the person your dog already thinks you are!”
