Even as a young girl, Emily Brand had a passion for helping animals. As a child, she would beg her parents to let her keep every type of animal there was. During high school, she volunteered at the Hawaiian Humane Society and adopted a three-legged dog, which she named Luv.

After attending Mid-Pacific Institute in the late '90s, Brand left the Islands to attend college at New York University and received a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater and English.

Her career with The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began as a volunteer adoption counselor at the Manhattan shelter.

Today, Brand is Hawai'i's voice at the ASPCA in New York City. She represents the West Coast and Hawai'i in media relations. Brand's job is to raise awareness on ASPCA's mission and prevent animal cruelty. "By addressing various animal cruelty issues via the media, we hope to encourage people to take action and save animals' lives," says Brand.

Every day she works tirelessly to help animals in need. "I wanted to be a voice for animals and help homeless animals in my community. The ASPCA estimates approximately 6 million to 8 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year; I wanted to be part of the solution and help find as many forever homes for at-risk animals as I could."

Brand is very proud of ASPCA's accomplishments. This year alone, she says the ASPCA has saved more than 700 puppies from puppy mills and created an animal mobile "crime scene investigation" unit that collected forensic evidence to prosecute a dogfighting case in Alabama.

This Hawai'i girl needs our help too. She asks that each one of us "Be a voice for animals! Set an example for others by doing something to help people understand the importance of treating animals with the love and respect they deserve."

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 19 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.