Dylan Capshaw, a 13-year-old teen from Scottsdale Arizona with numerous accomplishments is fast becoming a household name. The Dylan Capshaw Wildlife Foundation has recently skyrocketed in popularity, boasting a segment on FOX 10 news and 2 new billboards in Arizona with one to follow in L.A. His latest goal is to raise $5000 towards targeting and shutting down dog meat farms.
Across Asia, there is increasingly vocal local opposition to this trade due to cruelty, criminality and human health concerns. Despite global public concern, dog and cat traders snatch animals from the streets, steal pets from backyards or buy them from owners. Only later to be killed by electrocution in slaughterhouses or markets. Elsewhere, they are usually bludgeoned, hanged or more rarely, boiled alive. Dog meat bans exist in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore; most recently, Indonesia pledged support for a ban.
We interview Dylan, who has just adopted a baby Wallaby as the foundation’s official mascot!
Erich Rüthers: What prompted you to get involved in advocacy and activism?
Dylan Capshaw: I have always had a passion for animals, I just needed a chance to pursue my passion. During Hurricane Harvey, I saw the perfect chance to start a foundation to raise money for the animals affected by the hurricane. It was very successful and from there I advanced.
Q: Tell us a little about the Dylan Capshaw Wildlife Foundation and how you have started your first advocacy campaign?
A: When I returned from Houston Texas after my donation event, I realized I needed to start spreading my name around and getting more support. A billboard company later made a donation of two billboards for advertising. I even adopted a road in Scottsdale Arizona, where I do large city-wide public road cleanings.
Q: How is the fight against the dog meat farms going and why is this important to you?
A: Helping raise awareness for the cruelty of the dogs behind bars is important to me because after rescuing many dogs, I have seen how intelligent they are and how they shouldn’t be killed and harvested for meat and especially slowly tortured in cages, slowly watching there friends die in front of them. So far the new campaign just started, so we are about 5% to our $5,000 goal.
Q: Congratulations on your FOX channel feature. Do you see yourself collaborating with other activists?
A: Thank you! Absolutely! When I got allowed to get the wallaby, FOX News jumped right on it. I have already been talking to associates with the WWF and PetSmart has sponsored the foundation and lets us set-up stands outside some of their stores to raise money. I would also love to team up with Simon Cowell who has the same vision for this cause just like me.
Q: Is there one message you would like to share with our audience and your fans?
A: Yes. Money is tight for people and there are plenty of ways to get involved without donating! We love all of our followers and fans so much and we hope to grow our family! Simply reading our website or skipping the straw at your restaurant can make a difference. Let’s change the planet one step at a time!
Mr. Capshaw has plenty of fun small fundraisers on his website as well, followed by a shop where all of the proceeds go to donations. Any donations will help him reach the goal.
Image credits: FOX 10 News Broadcast
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