How This Connecticut Local is Empowering Women While Saving Furry Friends
Imagine a world where skincare isn't just about looking good, but about doing good.
Imagine a world where skincare isn't just about looking good, but about doing good. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Cathy Kangas, an entrepreneur who has seamlessly blended her passion for skincare with her unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Kangas, the founder of PRAI Beauty and the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals, has launched a popular skincare brand sold around the world and has also become a powerful advocate for our furry friends and those helping them.
PRAI Beauty, founded over two decades ago, was born out of Kangas's desire to cater to what she calls the "forgotten women" - those over 50 who are often overlooked by the beauty industry. The company's success, particularly with products like its bestselling Ageless Throat & Decolletage cream, has enabled Kangas to pursue her other passion: animal welfare.
"Even from being very little I have felt we hold the power over animals. It shows who we are, how we use that power," Kangas explains. This philosophy is evident in every aspect of her business. PRAI Beauty is Leaping Bunny Certified, ensuring all products are cruelty-free. But Kangas's commitment goes beyond just ethical product development. The company regularly uses its platform to raise awareness about animal issues. As Kangas describes, "I sell on television, on HSN and QVC, and on shopping channels all around the world, so I always bring up the plight of animals." This approach extends to product design, with jars featuring animal themes to highlight various causes, from dog rescue to polar bear conservation.
Through the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals, established in 2018, Kangas extends her reach to smaller, often overlooked animal welfare organizations. "Our goal through the foundation is to touch and help all the small, tiny, rescue groups," she says. This includes innovative approaches like funding adoption fees for rescue groups pulling animals from municipal shelters, and addressing a critical need in the animal rescue ecosystem.
One of the most impactful initiatives launched by the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals is the "Free the Shelters" program. This innovative approach eliminates a major obstacle to pet adoption by covering the adoption fee, thus making it easier for more animals to find loving homes. "We pick a shelter, or it could be a small rescue group, and every month we highlight that and put it on our website and on television," Kangas explains. By covering adoption fees, the program has seen remarkable success, with one shelter in Tampa being completely emptied of animals in a single weekend. Kangas recounts a touching moment: "By the end of the night the shelter manager called me and she was crying, she said 'we're empty! Not just every cat and dog though, we are empty we are sitting in an empty shell of a building. Even the little pocket pets are gone!'"
Kangas's vision for the future is ambitious. She aims to tackle larger issues like puppy mills and improve animal welfare legislation through her work as a board member of the Humane Society of the United States. "We really need to look at countries like the Netherlands, they have no pet euthanasia," she notes, highlighting the need for systemic change in the United States and how other countries have already improved their animal rescue ecosystem.
During our conversation, Kangas let me in on the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals' next big goal: establishing a much-needed animal shelter in New Canaan, Connecticut. The foundation is actively seeking a generous donor to provide land or a building to make this vision a reality. Kangas emphasized the importance of having a local shelter in the town, noting that the nearest facilities are currently in Norwalk, Stanford, or Bridgeport. "We are in such a wealthy town, we are so blessed, we should have a fabulous dog shelter and sanctuary right here," Kangas explained. This initiative aims to fill a crucial gap in animal welfare services in the area, providing a local haven for animals in need and further exemplifying the foundation's commitment to making a tangible difference in animal lives.
For those inspired by Cathy Kangas's efforts and wishing to contribute to her cause, there are several ways to make a meaningful impact. Kangas explains that those who make a donation to the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals will be proud of the work they do. "If they make it to our foundation, they can see the work we do every day, every week, every month, and how we're divvying it up to all these smaller groups to help them when they hit a crisis or when they need help." This approach ensures that even modest contributions can have a significant effect, whether it's covering unexpected veterinary costs or supporting local shelters in times of need. For those interested in learning more about how to donate to the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals, visit https://cathykangasfoundation.org/pages/donate-to-o.
Beyond financial support, Kangas passionately advocates for direct action: "Please adopt, please foster, don't shop because it really makes a difference, it really does." By choosing to adopt or foster, individuals can play a crucial role in alleviating the pressure on overcrowded shelters and giving animals a second chance at a loving home. Whether through donations, adoption, or fostering, every action taken in support of the Cathy Kangas Foundation and its mission contributes to a broader movement of compassion and care for animals in need.
To learn more about PRAI Beauty, visit https://praibeauty.com/. To learn more about the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals, visit https://cathykangasfoundation.org/.
Those interested in donating to the Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals can donate directly to them through Venmo @cathykangasfoundation4animals or Paypal @ckfoundation.