Hero Alert! Stamford Student Wins National peta2 Award for Raising Funds for Local Animal Shelter

For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

A Hero to Animals Award is on its way from peta2—PETA’s Youth Division—to 15-year-old Stamford High School student Leah Inverno for raising $1,000 for food, leashes, crates, and other vital supplies to help the homeless animals at her local shelter.

A budding veterinarian, Leah’s love of animals was sparked by growing up in a home full of companion animals. When she reached high school, she couldn’t wait to volunteer at her local animal shelter, but when she learned she wasn’t old enough, she rallied her friends and family to raise the much-needed funds instead in just two short months.

“Leah’s dedication to helping the homeless dogs and cats in her community is a reminder that we all have the power to be heroes to animals in need,” says peta2 Vice President Rachelle Owen. “The world is a kinder place thanks to Leah, and PETA encourages people of all ages to follow in her compassionate footsteps.”

With millions of homeless dogs and cats in the U.S. at any given time, animal shelters across the country have been overwhelmed for years. PETA reminds everyone to always adopt, never buy animals from breeders or pet stores, to never give animals as gifts, and always have companion animals spayed or neutered.

Young people inspired by Leah’s work are invited to contact [email protected] for support in making an impact for animals in their own communities. They can also earn rewards from peta2—including t-shirts, stickers, and cookbooks—when they take action for animals.

peta2—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers young people positive, empowering actions to help animals, as well as a free Guide to Going Vegan. For more information, please visit peta2.com or follow peta2 on TikTok or Instagram.