Elle McCall is a seasoned animal welfare advocate and the visionary force behind The Adopt Don’t Shop Movement. Her journey began over a decade ago in the heart of Texas shelters—on the frontlines, working directly with animals in need and witnessing the daily challenges of overcrowding, underfunding, and the heartbreaking cycle of pet surrender.

From 2019 to 2021, Elle owned and operated a successful pet care and dog walking business in Texas. This chapter deepened her connection with pet owners and strengthened her understanding of the human-animal bond. After building a thriving brand, she sold the business to expand her impact on a national scale.

In 2018, Elle launched Animal Resources & Consulting (ARC)—a specialized marketing and consulting agency focused on helping animal shelters and rescues grow their reach, increase adoptions, and secure critical funding. Through ARC, she’s supported dozens of under-resourced organizations with branding, websites, campaigns, and strategic growth efforts.

Still, Elle recognized a critical gap: while shelters were doing incredible work, the broader public lacked the exposure, education, and inspiration needed to truly embrace adoption.

She founded The Adopt Don’t Shop Movement to shift the national culture around pet adoption—making it joyful, empowering, and widely embraced. The movement creates meaningful connections between people and pets, promotes education, and builds grassroots programs that elevate shelter animals in communities across the country.

“Adoption should feel like a celebration—not a compromise. I want people to feel proud to adopt, inspired to get involved, and motivated to help save lives in their own communities.”

Today, Elle leads a passionate team creating visibility, resources, and real pathways for shelter pets to be seen, chosen, and loved. Through every initiative, she’s working to make adoption the only option—and inviting the world to join her.