Nominee's name
Rachel Stepien

Nominee's story
Rachel Stepien, owner of The Plant Shack in East Aurora, has been an amazing advocate for the shelter animals of Niagara County SPCA. Last year she reached out and asked to help one of the longest residents, Bonita, get adopted. She sponsored Bonita's cage and promoted her on The Plant Shack social media pages. She was so excited to see when Bonita was finally adopted after being at the shelter for 500 days! She decided to help more harder to adopt animals by sponsoring and promoting them as well.

Then the SPCA needed help with their annual Mardi Paws event and The Plant Shack offered to sponsor! During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel continued to reach out and ask how she could help and she's partnering with the SPCA to put adoptable animals in her plants. Rachel is a great friend to the animals of Niagara County SPCA, offering a helping hand whenever she can. That's why she should be named "Shelter Animal Advocate of the Year!"