Award-winning influencer, model, actress & animal activist Victoria Featherstone Pearce was amongst our glamorous VIP guests at Lady Wimbledon’s IWD’s Party.
Celebrity Editor Angela Sara West chats with vegan influencer Victoria about what International Women’s Day means to her, why Pamela Anderson and Brigitte Bardot are her icons, winning ‘Influencer of the Year’ at the London Lifestyle Awards last year, and her dog rescue charity The K-9 Angels (@thek9angels.).
Hi Victoria, we’re so pleased that you celebrated International Women’s Day with us! What did you most enjoy about the Party?
I enjoyed meeting other like-minded women who know the importance of women supporting women. We can achieve SO much when we work together. Plus, it was a lovely distraction… Saying that, my thoughts will be with every innocent being sadly caught up in Putin’s war. The victims, both human and animal, are never far from my mind…
Credit: @victoriapearcewriter
As an avid vegan and writer for Vegan Life magazine, what did you wear?
An elegant, ethical and sustainable piece.
Who are your favourite fashion designers?
Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood have, for a long time, been two of my favourite designers. Stella for her unique ethical creations, and Vivienne for her absolutely stunning feminine and tailored silhouette that screams ‘I am woman’. There are so many new upcoming ethical designers/brands that I’m enjoying, too… One of my favourites is Damapresziosa (luxury vegan sandals/handbags).
Ooh, I must check them out! Which women (both historic and present-day) inspire you?
I’ve always been inspired by strong women and women who stand up for what they believe in. So, I’d say historically that would have to be the suffragettes who fought for women to be able to vote in the public elections. What an incredible legacy they have left and what a better world we have today because of those bold, brave ladies. Never underestimate a small group who fight for a positive change. In the 90s, I was a huge Pamela Anderson fan and was inspired by Brigitte Bardot too, because they have always been the voice for animals. Speaking out for the voiceless isn’t an easy task with so many against you, but these ladies and many others I’m proud to know, continue to fight for a better world for animals.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
That you are so much stronger that you believe… Sadly, I didn’t have a cheerleader or family role model growing up, so I had to learn this in more recent times for myself. But believing in myself at a younger age and knowing my strength would have helped save so much valuable time.
How did the charity you co-founded, K-9 Angels, come about?
I co-founded K-9 Angels 10 years ago with two friends after we saw a plea for help on Facebook to help a little dog who had been abandoned in a forest. We had no idea if the plea was genuine or not, but I decided to send the 40 Euros to help the little dog, which we named Angel, and it was saved!
We helped find Angel a forever home, and the rest, as they say, is history. We were so elated to have rehomed this little stray so easily that we decided to start K-9 Angels. We thought, with all the contacts and connections we have between us, it would be crazy not to, so in 2011, K-9 Angels was born… K-9 Angels help dogs in a number of countries around the world, but at the moment, predominately in Romania.
We are a tiny team of volunteers and so far, we’ve rehomed over 1,000 dogs. These strays have come from a hellish reality and are now living their best lives in carefully-chosen, heavenly homes. We sterilised over 2,000 dogs, which is why our mass sterilisation campaign is so important. You literally nip the problem in the bud before many pups are born and left to die. Prevention is better than cure. We’ve funded a shelter build housing many dogs, keeping them from harm and supplying food and medical assistance.
To date, we’ve raised over £650,000. K-9 Angels is all about teamwork and passion for helping stray, abandoned and abused dogs. None of this would be possible without our donors and, of course, the incredible rescuers working tirelessly every day to save dogs’ lives.
How can readers get involved to help as volunteers and donate to the K-9 Angels cause?
K-9 Angels are always on the lookout to find dedicated volunteers to take on a role. There’s still so much we want to achieve, but each team member already has taken on numerous roles… Donations are always desperately needed to carry on helping dogs in desperate need and, of course, are always gratefully received. Here’s a link to donate: www.givey.com/k9angels
So, what’s next for Victoria Featherstone Pearce?
I am working on some very exciting projects! There are film offers, so my fingers are crossed for that. I have had many requests from supporters who are encouraging me to do regular Insta lives, and I have some amazing friends and contacts I want to interview, so this is something I am working on as well.
Congrats on winning a coveted award!
Winning the Lifestyle Influencer of The Year award in 2021 has given me a big boost, and I would like to see where this accolade will take me!
However, as much as I love my work and I love the limelight, my dog rescue work with my charity K-9 Angels and my seven rescue dogs will always come first!
Follow Victoria on Instagram @victoriapearcewriter
https://victoriapearceofficial.com/
© Angela Sara West 2022 @angela_sara_west
