Born and raised in Chicago, Katie Cleary always knew she was destined for bigger things. Her interest in becoming an actress and model drove her to move to Los Angeles shortly after graduating college with a degree in Business and Marketing. However, she always had a passion for helping animals, so she used what she learned in the entertainment industry to further pursue her passion to be a voice for the voiceless and help save animals around the world. In August 2022, she released her second award-winning documentary “Why On Earth,” featuring Clint Eastwood, which she directed and produced. The film highlights the negative effects of deforestation, illegal wildlife trafficking, the ivory and rhino horn trade, and the people fighting on the ground to save these animals from extinction.

**Left:**
Top by Helen Anthony
**Right:**
Jacket by SASSAHR
Dress by Alabama Blonde
Shoes by Chéri & Co.

When did you discover that you had a passion for saving animals?
I was young when I found my calling, about 11years old. I knew that animals needed help, specifically endangered species, and I wanted to be the one to save them for the future of their species on earth. So, I began rescuing animals with my family in my own backyard, birds that had fallen from their nest, squirrels, bunnies, raccoons, you name it. We tried to help as many animals that needed us as we could and would bring them to our family vet. They would then be rehabilitated until they were strong enough to be released back into the wild. It’s such an amazing feeling to see their transformation and set them free. I started my charity, Peace 4 Animals, to help all species of animals. I seem to find animals in need of help everywhere I go.

What do you believe is the biggest threat to endangered species?
Humans, our actions, and inactions have caused some of our most precious species so much suffering, pushing many of them to the brink of extinction due to greed, money, and power, including trophy hunting and illegal poaching. These are species such as rhinos, elephants, lions, and pangolins that have been here for millions of years and are now in a race against extinction. If we don’t act now, they will be lost forever.

**Left:**
Top by MEGAN RENEE
Pants by Sarah Regensburger
**Right:**
Dress by SASSAHR

What could the everyday person do to support the safety of endangered species?
Make sure you look on the back of all products and read labels. Only purchase recycled paper products or products that have the Rainforest Alliance official seal on them, which certifies that the product doesn’t deforest critical habitat of endangered species. Don’t purchase Palm Oil or its derivatives. Most of the Palm Oil is produced by cutting down critical rainforest habitat in Indonesia that is home to endangered orangutans that have little primary forest habitat left to support a healthy and stable population moving forward. They need the rainforest to survive. Vote with your dollar, contribute to eco-tourism by traveling to countries where you can see these beautiful animals in the wild. Donate to your favorite organizations that help to protect endangered species and their habitat around the world. Plant a tree.

What steps or measures can be taken to prevent the continuation of global warming?
Go Plant-Based, for your health and the health of the planet, and the welfare of the animals. Reduce your carbon foottprint by driving less, walking and riding bikes more, use less electric in your home, reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace single use plastics for reusable ones.

**Left:**
Jacket by SASSAHR
Dress by Alabama Blonde
Shoes by Chéri & Co.
**Right:**
Top by Curalli
Red pants by Alabama Blonde

What is on your to do list or what are your next goals as a humanitarian?
To release my newest documentary “Why On Earth” on streaming platforms worldwide. To direct and produce my third documentary about the plight of wolves and the fight to save them in the United States. To mainstream animal welfare through my news network, World Animal News, and be the first to air our breaking segments on a mainstream network to raise awareness for animals on a global scale.

Does your belief in God inspire you to be a better humanitarian?
If yes, how? Yes, my faith in Jesus/God has brought me to where I am today, I wouldn’t be where I am without him. He has given me the strength and purpose to keep fighting every day to help save animals. That is why I’m here. It’s a mission and a calling that I was given at an early age.

**Left:**
Top by Curalli
Red pants by Alabama Blonde
**Right:**
Top by MEGAN RENEE
Pants by Sarah Regensburger

Who are some people whom you admire within the animal welfare or sustainable living community?
Jane Goodall because of her unwillingness to settle for what other people wanted her to do and be. She fought against the naysayers for her mission for the animals at a young age and is still fighting for their protection today, in her 90s. I hope to do the same when I am that age.

When did you realize you wanted to make the shift from acting and modeling to filmmaking?
I was about 30 years old when I woke up one morning and had an epiphany that I needed to do more to help animals, that’s when my first documentary “Give Me Shelter” came to mind. I needed to produce something on a larger scale to be able to reach the masses and educate people on what was really happening to animals around the world and how people could help. It took me three years and my savings to produce “Give Me Shelter,” which I sold to Netflix in 2015.

What is something you wish you could say to poachers or hunters?
It’s hard to think of being able to rationalize with heartless people who kill elephants and rhinos in front of their babies all for ivory, rhino horn, or a trophy to put on their wall. Sadly, these people are driven by greed and all they see is dollar signs. I know that we will not stop fighting until we save as many animals as we possibly can. Good will always prevail. They are protected by God’s grace.

What actions can to be taken to shut down slaughterhouses in the United States? Undercover investigations and legislation are key. When you have proof of the cruelty and atrocities that are happening on factory farms throughout the country, you can use that to expose factory farming through the media and pass critical legislation to help move toward a more compassionate, plant-based world. People also need to speak up about these atrocities that are happening. Social media can be used for good to help get the word out and save many lives as a result.

Do you feel that it is the government’s responsibility to take down climate and animal abuse issues or is it more of the individual’s responsibility?
I think it’s both. The people and the government are both responsible for the direction that our world is going. It’s everyday choices that we make as individuals that have a huge impact on our planet and its species and will inevitably dictate the future. The government should listen to the people and enact regulations and legislation accordingly to help make our world more sustainable.

Social Media.
IG: @katiecleary11

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Katie Cleary
Fashion Stylist: Douglas Hickman
Hair & Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Photographer’s Assistant: Ozzie Gutierrez
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Nichole Masterson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Location: FD Studios