Robert Shapiro, Founder
Robert Shapiro, a modern day renaissance man, is an author, naturalist, arborist, and wildlife rehabilitator.
Robert has placed thousands of cats and dogs since his start in the 70’s, in addition to innumerable reptiles and other exotics. He was featured on National Geographic, Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel, and was a guest on the TV show To Tell the Truth as the Urban Exotics Rescuer in 1999.
He gives nature walks around the metropolitan area where he discusses the myriad of plants and animals that thrive mostly unnoticed all around us. He also gives free paddleball and cycling maintenance lessons.
His articles have appeared in major outlets including The Huffington Post (‘For the Love of Dog, Put Us Out of Business’) and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine (‘Enough is Enough’) and an article in Experience Life Magazine about the joy of living without wasting.
Current writing projects include: ‘Dragons in My Bathtub (and Other Tails),’ a compilation of essays about extraordinary experiences he’s had rescuing wild animals in New York City; ‘How to Teach Your Parents to Save the Planet,’ a book about thriving without creating waste. He’s been an educator for every phase of life, he has taught nursery school aged children to adults, spending time as a traveling science instructor for the Department of Education.
Some of Shapiro’s early accomplishments include writing a guidebook about the reptile pet trade entitled ‘Are you Killing Your Reptile?’ at the age of 19 (T.F.H. Publications); illustrating various books, and was awarded a citation for courage from the NYPD for saving a woman from an assault. Outside of his educational work, he is a ‘Player of Distinction’ in the Handball Hall of Fame.
Robert was the New Yorker of the Week on NY1, which featured his brick and mortar animal rescue operation. He lives in the West Village in New York City.
Dr. Lyle Cleary
Our exotic animals vet, who’s been working with animals since he first started volunteering with Robert as a teenager.
His enthusiasm for reptiles and exotic animals took him to Tufts University where he interned with their Zoo/Exotics department. He would later be promoted to working as a full-time team member at Tuft University’s Wildlife Hospital, and fulfilled that role from 2014-2016 until graduating with awards in Senior Zoological and Companion exotics.
He went onto a one year internship at Brooklyn’s Emergency and Referral Group. While interning, he became the guy to call for exotic animal emergencies and, after nearly 10 years, progressed to become a veterinarian at The Center for Avian Exotics, based in Manhattan.
He also has experience working for the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby Australia, as well as the Madras Crocodile Bank Center for Herpetology in Tamil Nadu, India.
Lyle now does the majority of Stray Pride’s medical evaluations and surgeries as needed.
Elan Ginzberg
Not only a long time volunteer rescuing animals, but also our team lawyer.
Elan began his work with animals as a child, volunteering in Robert Shapiros previous rescues.
He is well versed on the legal side of the spectrum, but also is full of compassion for both animals and people.
We are fortunate to have someone who is on the right side of justice, with a legal background on our team.
Rob Vilches
Our most tenured volunteer for over 20 years, Rob has hands on experience with a multitude of animals, and is the guy we call on most to assist Robert in rescuing and transporting large and/or dangerous animals.
As the manager of Stray Pride, he is our number one ‘boots on the ground,’ a real Jack of all Trades participating in fostering, field work, transportation, and representing the rescue during community outreach events.
He is fascinated by all things wild and has great compassion for herpetology.
Laura became the Adoption Coordinator after fostering and adopting more than ten animals from Stray Pride over the years.
Highlights include the creation of Operation Softshell, an on-going initiative to remove invasive & displaced aquatic turtles unable to survive the winter from Central Park and other NYC wild areas, coordinating the safe-keeping and transport of extra large sulcata tortoises out of the tristate area, and the establishment of Stray Pride’s Turtle and Tortoise sanctuary in Massachusetts, (slated to open May/June 2027.)
Raised by a pair of outdoor educators on an aquaculture farm, Laura was destined to surround herself with nature and its aquatic residents, although these days she keeps more terrestrial and arboreal critters.
When she’s not buying veggies, changing water, and monitoring soil conditions, she’s working on colorful knit fiber sculptures and summitting all 46 Adirondack high peaks and other summer outdoor adventures. Sometimes she even goes to work, which happens to be in the medical field.
Brooke Jaffe
Brooke Jaffe is a longtime animal lover - ducks being her number one.
She handles social media management, as well as local publicity for Stray Pride.
Fostering turtles is another role she frequently takes on.
Outside of Stray Pride, she works in the music industry and is a proud graduate of Florida State University.
Amaru Fenoutt
Amaru is one of our hardworking volunteers, mostly assisting us with turtle fostering and conservation projects.
He is passionate about animal and human rights, and is also the lead vocalist of the NYC based metal band Non-Residents.