May 12, 2026
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

Take a look around the SPCA Albrecht Center, and you’ll find a team made up of all kinds of people – different ages, different backgrounds, different life experiences. Some of us have always worked with animals, and others found our way here later in life.

But there’s one thing nearly all of us have in common: We loved animals long before animal welfare became our work.

If you were to flip through our childhood photo albums, you’d see it clearly; kids proudly holding kittens, hugging family dogs, or simply sitting quietly beside a pet who meant the world to them. Those moments weren’t just cute snapshots. They were the start of a lifelong connection.

Today, that connection has grown into action. Every staff member and volunteer here contributes in their own way; whether it’s caring for animals in our shelter and clinic, supporting adopters, assisting with TNR efforts, educating the public, or working in our Thrift Store. The paths are different, but the motivation is the same: a genuine love for animals and a desire to make their lives better.

And that’s where real change begins. We can, and should, continue to strengthen laws around animal cruelty and neglect. But improving the lives of animals on a larger scale requires something deeper than legislation. It requires a shift in mindset.

Too often, animals are still viewed as property; objects to own rather than living beings capable of fear, comfort, joy, and connection. While outreach and messaging can help, the reality is that some perspectives are deeply ingrained and difficult to change later in life. That’s why humane education is so important.

When children experience the love of a pet, and are taught from a young age that animals deserve kindness, respect, and compassion, those values grow with them and shape how they treat not only animals, but people and the world around them. And over time, those children become the adults who protect, rescue, advocate, and lead.

Last week, a few members of our team attended a national animal welfare conference – an annual gathering of people from across the country who share the same mission. Like us, they came from all walks of life, bringing different perspectives, ideas, and experiences. But they are united by one common purpose: to move animal welfare forward.

But meaningful change doesn’t only happen at conferences or within organizations. It happens every day, in small, personal choices.

If you want to make a difference for animals, you don’t have to look far. Start with what’s in front of you.

Choose adoption instead of purchasing from a pet store or backyard breeder. Support or participate in trap-neuter-return efforts for community cats. Volunteer your time. Foster animals in need – whether it’s bottle-feeding kittens or opening your home to a hospice pet who deserves comfort in their final days.

Slow down when you see an animal near the road. Help a turtle cross safely to the other side. Teach children how to interact with animals safely and gently. Show them what respect for animals looks like – not just by telling them, but by demonstrating it in your own actions.

That’s how the next generation learns, and that’s how lasting change takes root.

Animals give us so much; companionship, comfort, joy, and unconditional love, often for their entire lives. The least we can do in return is ensure that their lives are safe, humane, and filled with care.

For many of us, that understanding and commitment started in childhood. Now, animals are counting on us to pass those values on to the next generation, ensuring they are treated with compassion, dignity, and care for generations to come. 🐾

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband and several beloved cats.