His number is A710510. He was given the name, “Tom.”

Tom is a stray.  Someone found him in the dog run at the Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem. Tom, like many dogs and cats, was left behind by his owner. The only place a homeless animal can’t be turned away is the Animal Care & Control of New York City, but it is also a kill shelter. Because the shelter would have to make room for the incoming homeless animals, animals already in the shelter who are not adopted will be euthanized.

In 2007, I joined a group of volunteers in photographing dogs and cats hoping that the photos would give them a fighting choice in finding a forever home. I didn’t like the depressing fences and cages, so I started to create backgrounds in Illustrator and combine the photos and backgrounds in Photoshop.