Kelli Bender Title: Staff Editor - Pets Expertise: Pets, Animal Rescue, Wildlife Kelli Bender has worked as an editor-writer for 15 years, focusing on pets and entertainment — including coverage of two celebrity dog weddings. She joined PEOPLE as a writer-producer in 2013 and became PEOPLE's Pets Editor in 2018. Previously she worked as a junior editor at the pet lifestyle website PawNation.Kelli is the editorial lead on PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards and World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Experience Kelli Bender has 15 years of experience writing and editing stories regarding pets and entertainment. She has worked at PEOPLE for ten years, joining the brand as a writer-reporter in 2013. Kelli became PEOPLE's Pets Editor in 2018.Before joining PEOPLE, Kelli worked as a junior editor at the pet lifestyle site PawNation, which she helped AOL and Whalerock launch in 2011.Kelli worked as a freelance writer for MTV and The Frisky. She interned at BBC and Cosmopolitan while attending New York University, where she graduated with a degree in Journalism and Cinema Studies in 2011. About PEOPLE PEOPLE, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, delivers the most trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human interest stories, connecting you to the pulse of American culture. Since our first issue hit stands in 1974, we have been striving to tell compelling stories about the people behind the issues, as opposed to just the issues themselves. We are your everyday escape, taking you inside the lives of intriguing stars, newsmakers, up-and-comers and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We serve and delight you by providing ideas about beauty, food and style through the lens of the people influencing the trends. And we are a force for good by telling stories of hope, optimism and kindness that drive conversation and inspire action. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.