We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelle Mann Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelle, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want, more than all else, to know that i had a hand in raising awareness and compassion for the neglected and abandon animals that fight to survive each day in our city. They are voiceless, and suffer in silence, always waiting for a caring hand, that far too often, never comes. If i can make them seen, and heard, through my efforts, then it has not been in vain.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I served as a first responder after Katrina, and it changed the course of my life. I became FEMA certified in animal disaster response, and in 2011 I was compelled to start a rescue/sanctuary for the street dogs here in Houston. At one point a study done by Animal Control estimated 1.2 million homeless and suffering animals in our city. We have rescued and rehomed almost 1600 since our beginning, and are still going strong. It takes a village, and i wish to thank all of our villages here, that listen and hear, seek and find, rescue and rehab.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
People have come here to go out ‘in the field’ with us. To see our plight, to help the animals, to experience our reality firsthand.. Our outing would be to help as many as we can ,maybe a quick fast food meal on the way, but always our mission and gatherings, are to help more dogs. We are not a party crowd. We are devoted and determined in our mission to save lives

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people deserve recognition for being the voice for the suffering animals. My son and daughter in law, Megan Ballinger (Cuddly), all the compassionate people who give their hearts and homes to the animals that need it the most. Those who search for forever homes for those that have been thrown away and forgotten on the cruel streets.All that risk heartbreak over and over, looking into the eyes of an abused dog, it never ends, and all that feel, give and heal deserve recognition.

Website: Forgottendogs.org
Facebook: Forgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward

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