Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yolanda Berkowitz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yolanda, appreciate you joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Back in 2016, I kept seeing heartbreaking stories on social media—dogs and cats at our county shelter hit by cars, abandoned, or rescued from cruelty cases. I couldn’t believe my community was turning a blind eye. With a background in child advocacy, I thought, maybe I can do the same for our shelter pets.

So, I picked up the phone and called then-Mayor Carlos Gimenez—a longtime family friend—to ask what was going on at Animal Services. In classic Carlos style, he invited me to his office with a challenge: Don’t just complain. Bring solutions.

That call changed everything.

There have been moments I questioned it—plenty. But I’ve come to realize: this is the fight I’m meant to be in. Advocating for a more humane, thoughtful system for vulnerable pets and the people who love them.

Yolanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Through my work with the Friends of Miami Animals Foundation (FoMA), I’m deeply committed to keeping pets out of shelters, in their homes, and off the streets. Our mission centers on these, but also shining a light on the policies, procedures, and operational gaps that too often put animals at risk—and bringing the resources and attention needed to fix them.

One of the things I’m most proud of is FoMA’s ability to adapt and lead in areas that might not have seemed obvious at first glance—like the critical need for enforcement and oversight, or the growing crisis around access to veterinary care. As vet costs rise and appointments become harder to come by, too many families are forced to delay or skip care for their beloved pets. Likewise, the high cost of spay and neuter surgeries—especially for large dogs—leads to unplanned litters, preventable suffering, and unnecessary loss of life.

At the heart of this work is a simple but powerful belief: each of us has a role in building a stronger, more compassionate community. Whether by lending a hand to a neighbor, speaking up for the voiceless, or urging our elected officials to act with urgency and accountability, we all have the power to make a difference—for people and pets alike.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

In this work, having the respect and support of colleagues is everything. Animal welfare is complex—there are experts in veterinary care, access-to-care gaps, media, marketing, and more. You simply can’t do it alone. Their knowledge, collaboration, and willingness to share resources make all the difference. It’s how we learn, adapt, and build real, lasting impact.

Having a dogged passion for the work helps, too!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

We’re not building a clientele—we’re building a community. Our focus is on being a trusted resource for pet families and our shelter through education, advocacy, and support. By bringing financial help and practical solutions to the table, we create space for collaboration that improves the lives of at-risk pets. It’s a grassroots effort, grown organically—one story, one service, one success (or setback) at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fomapets.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fomapets
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fomapets/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fomapets