Santa Monica native Dr. Jennifer Conrad has been awarded the Veterinary Advocate of the Year award by the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association for her work to educate legislators and the public about the practice of declawing felines.
Conrad was an activist who scrutinized the Santa Monica Police Department for shooting and killing a wild mountain lion who wandered into the streets of Santa Monica last year.
In 2000, Conrad founded The Paw Project, an organization which rehabilitates lions, tigers and cougars who have been victims of declawing.
In addition to her efforts against declawing, Conrad has more than 20 years of experience caring for wildlife on six continents.