Meena Kumar, a California teen who lived a year of her life in an orphanage, has raised almost $20,000 for an animal shelter serving senior dogs.
The 14-year-old understands the difference that second chances and a loving family can make.
As a baby, she was found abandoned in a basket on a college campus in India, and sent to the orphanage before a couple from Mumbai eventually adopted her.
In Mumbai, Meena discovered a deep love for animals while caring for a litter of puppies. She carried that passion with her to San Jose, Calif., where the family later moved.
Out on a walk with her dog Bambie, the then 9-year-old Meena met gentle George, a hospice dog, and Kathy Stecco, his guardian. Stecco told Meena about Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a San-Francisco based, cage-free rescue, through which she had fostered several seniors.
Intrigued by the rescue, Meena went to visit Muttville. She fell in love with the kindly older dogs and the staff’s commitment to creating better lives for animals and asked to volunteer. But the rescue’s policy requires volunteers to be at least 17 years old.
The young girl came up with an alternate plan. With the support of her family, she posted an ad on Next Door for pet-sitting services and soon received her first assignment: walking a neighbor’s dog on Sundays.

Meena Kumar discovered a love of animals while caring for a litter of puppies in Mumbai, India- a passion she carried with her to California. (Photo Courtesy of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue)
After a successful start to her new hobby, Meena pitched a larger idea; she wanted to start her own pet-sitting business. As a member of the San Jose Youth Symphony, she also wanted to start playing her violin on the streets for donations. Meena said she would donate all proceeds to Muttville to help the dogs she had come to love so much.
Jayashree Subrahmonia, Meena’s mother, agreed to the plan, as long as Meena only fundraised when school wasn’t in session, and Meena’s business, Pet Fairy Services, finally came to fruition.
Meena raised $1,000 in one year, giving up her summer and winter vacations to do so, according to Subrahmonia.
“We decided to support her because she came with such a passion to help animals,” Subrahmonia told Lady Freethinker. “We are truly grateful to her for bringing that passion to help all of us, and I know that our family is so much happier for the opportunity to spend more time with animals.”
The teen’s love of animals was also apparent to Sherri Franklin, the founder and CEO of Muttville, who told Lady Freethinker that Meena “melted” when she first saw the senior dogs.
“Her face lit up as soon as she walked through the doors of Muttville’s cage-free shelter because all the dogs ran to her!” Franklin said. “She melted, and it was beautiful to watch!”
Franklin said that Meena has raised almost $20,000 for Muttville to date. Intel, the company where her father works, matched the first $7,000, according to CNN.

Meena Kumar cuddles a pooch at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in California. (Photo courtesy of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue)
Meena acknowledged that juggling friends, family, and fundraising has been challenging. But she added that any sacrifices have been worth helping senior dogs have a second chance at finding loving forever homes.
“I am really happy that I was able to help the senior dogs at Muttville. I had no idea that I could raise this much money,” she told Lady Freethinker. “That is why I feel that if you have a passion, work hard and persevere, you can do big things.”
The rescue has seen an uptick in adoptions since the coronavirus pandemic hit, according to Franklin. Staff have adopted out more than 130 dogs, using virtual platforms such as Zoom and Facetime for initial introductions with foster families, CNN reported.
The money that Meena has raised for the shelter means that Muttville will be able to save 20 more senior dogs and find them new and loving homes, Franklin said.
“Senior dogs are amazing. They are so grateful and soulful,” Franklin told Lady Freethinker. “They are ready to love you unconditionally. They need less exercise, and they fit like an old slipper. And to imagine that many get euthanized simply for their age!”
As for Meena, she encourages people to consider adopting older dogs.
“Senior dogs have given us so much, and they continue to provide unconditional love,” she said. “I think we can learn a lot from animals to become better people. We can learn to just love each other for who we are.”

Meena Kumar practices her violin. She started playing on the streets to raise money for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. (Photo courtesy of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue)

A true Hero (Angel) for Dogs and Animals Worldwide, Thank you, for your Awesome work, you are inspirational and the change the World needs, God Bless You. 🙂
What a sweet kid with the heart in the right place.
You’re great in a word!
Hope you can still do a lot of work for the outcasts of society.
What a beautiful, compassionate young girl you are, Meena. You will undoubtedly blossom into a strong, compassionate woman…our world needs more people exactly like you!
What a GREAT kid!!!!! Congratulations, you’re fantastic.
Meena, the moment I read your story it brought tears to my eyes. You are such a sweet, compassionate soul. It is very encouraging to hear your Mom & Dad also very supportive to your Passion to carry on. Oh my !! I wish that we have more of your kind younger generation around us. You have chosen this path & please carry on helping the poor, defenseless, voiceless Pooches. THANK YOU & ALL THE GOD BLESSINGS TO YOU..
be kind to animals !
treat them the way – you want to be treated yourself !
Meena, you are beautiful inside and out. Keep up your good work to help these beautiful senior dogs. We need more people like you in the world.
God bless her ♥
Meena is a gift to the world.
Meena is lucky she was adopted by such caring parents. I was adopted as well and did not have parents as good as hers although they were not mean people. Too long to get into and unnecessary . What a wonderful thing she is doing and she and the animals benefit. I would certain have her care for my animals and I thank her for what she is doing.
Une très belle personne! ses parents peuvent être très fiers d’elle!
What an amazing beautiful person!! Thank you for your love for these gentle loving creatures!
What a beautiful spirit.
Amazing, wonderful girl. Thank you for helping all those dogs.
Amazing, wonderful girl. Thank you for helping all those dogs.
Meena, YOU are amazing! We are proud of you! Thank you for all you do for these animals. Showing your caring heart, I’m sure you will go far in life! Keep up the great work, I know the animals love you!
Much love to you xoxox
What a sweet girl. Imagine a world with thousands upon thousands of Meena?
Meena you are a wonderful teenager. Thank you 10 fold for helping these beautiful dogs.
God bless you! What a wonderful example you are setting for your peers, but for ALL of us.
What a precious girl with a very loving heart!
Meena is an angel. What a beautiful heart and soul she has. Thank you, Meena.
Thank YOU!!! You are a beautiful person for helping these animals. BLESS YOU
Well done Meena. You are an inspiration to your community.
Well done Meena. You are an inspiration to your community.
You are a wonderful young woman, very caring towards older dogs. I too love dogs very much. Thank you.
What a great good-news story! Just the thing for these times!
Well done. Meena, you have done a great work. Thank you so very much.