If you’ve ever adopted a pet from a shelter, you’ll know that they often come with a name, and rescue websites will put up an image of the cat or dog as well — usually the best shot they can get of wiggly, stressed out animals at the shelter.
But Jen Parjol is changing that. Ever since she started volunteering with the Arizona Animal Welfare League about five years ago, she’s been taking portraits of the animals up for adoption that are a little better.
Scroll through her Instagram feed, Meow PHX, and there are cats cuddled up in purple velvet, there are yawning cats and jumping cats and even a cat or two in a Santa Claus hat in honor of the season.
Parjol says it’s all about helping get the animals adopted and into loving homes. And she’s not alone — she’s actually part of a group of photographers that does this all over the world called Hearts Speak.
The Show spoke with her to get all the furry details about her work.
