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CELEBRITY ANIMAL ADVOCATES

That Support Animal Rescue & Adoption

By Sean-Patrick M. Hillman

When it comes to charitable endeavors or the advocacy of social justice in any way, celebrities are usually front and center to help spread the love, so to speak. The majority of these famous faces will usually only support non-profits and advocate for issues they strongly believe in. Many of them are lifelong animal advocates and support not only local rescue organizations, but also multi-national animal advocacies that help shape animal rights laws.

We have selected only five for this story, but you can look forward to more being featured in every issue of Pet Lifestyles Magazine. 

Elvis Duran
Radio Personality, Actor, Author & Animal Rescuer

Elvis Duran is the host of the nationally syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and the voice millions wake up to!

Throughout his 40+ year career in radio he has amassed a wide variety of accolades all in part to his trademark heart, honesty and humor that has connected him with audiences around the world for 25 years. He has been inducted into the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame (2017), the Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago (2015), and the National Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2018). More recently, he added New York Times Bestselling Author with the release of his 2019 book, Where Do I Begin? Stories I Sort of Remember from a Life Lived Out Loud.  

When he is not on the air, Elvis enjoys cocktails at his favorite bars in New York City, spending time with his husband Alex, and cuddling up with his two mini-Schnauzers, Max and Ollie. Elvis has supported many animal welfare organizations throughout his career including ASPCA, North Shore Animal League, Rock & Rawhide, and many, many more. 

Ricky Gervais
Comedian, Actor, Writer, Director & Animal Advocate

The award-winning comedian, long known for his love of animals, has spent most of his career helping to raise awareness of the need for animal adoptions; promoting animal advocacy and rights; as well as supporting animal welfare organizations across the planet. Most recently, Ricky Gervais donated $2.4 million raised from premium tickets sold during his blockbuster 2023 Armageddon world comedy tour that is helping out furrever friends all over the world.

The ticket sales have benefited All Dogs Matter, Animal SOS Sri Lanka, Catastrophes Cat Rescue, Chaldon Animal Sanctuary, Dogs On The Streets, Helping Rhinos, Millions of Friends, Mira USA, Paws2Rescue, PDSA (The UK’s People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) and Wild Futures.

Not to be one that stays too serious for too long, Gervais has been quoted as saying, “I hope the dogs, cats, rhinos and monkeys invest this money wisely, because when my career goes t*** up I’ll need it back.”

Selena Gomez
Singer, Actress & Animal Advocate

Selena Gomez has been rescuing dogs most of her life. And every dog she has ever been a furmom of has been adopted from a rescue or shelter. As a matter of fact, by the time the now billionaire star was dating Justin Bieber, she had already adopted five dogs from local shelters and rescues. When the two pop stars were together, they adopted a 10-week old husky mix from Winnipeg animal rescue D’Arcy’s A.R.C.

During the pandemic, the singer and actress publicly announced that she had fostered curly-haired pup, Daisy. This was in addition to her trusted sidekick Winnie. Of course, like many of us, Gomez became a foster failure almost immediately with her famously being quoted as saying, “I couldn’t help it…I have to keep her.”

Selena Gomez is the ambassador of DoSomething.org after being involved with the charity Island Dog, which help dogs in Puerto Rico. She got involved while filming Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie in Puerto Rico.

Kelli Giddish
Actor, Animal Welfare Advocate

Kelli Giddish is best known for her portrayal of NYPD Detective Amanda Rollins in the NBC crime-drama television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Giddish found her dog, Frannie Mae, on the street while filming Chase (2010). She calls her breed ‘a side of the roader’. Frannie Mae has starred alongside Kelli as Amanda’s dog on Law & Order SVU.

Long known as an animal welfare advocate, Giddish often helps to advocate for rescue organizations and animal rights issues. The actress is also a passionate supporter of those who help in animal rescue and welfare, including her castmates. In 2020, co-star Ice-T’s renowned bulldog, Spartacus, died following complications from knee surgery. The rap icon has been helping with animal charities for decades, especially bulldog rescues. After Sparatus passed away, Giddish and SVU lead Mariska Hargitay gave the Ice-T an elaborate painting of Spartacus to hang in his dressing room.

Beth Stern
Actress, Author & Animal Advocate

Beth Stern literally sleeps and breathes kittens. Her love for animals began at a young age and has grown into a mission to personally foster and rehabilitate abandoned felines to be adopted and welcomed into new and safe forever homes. Over the past six years, Beth has provided spay or neuter, foster care and facilitated adoptions for over 2,000 unwanted cats and kittens.

Beth has been instrumental in the creation of Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center which recently opened at North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill shelter and rescue organization. This state-of-the-art adoption center offers a cage-free environment while the cats and kittens receive high quality medical care, rehabilitation and lots of love.

Beth is the national spokesperson and also a Board member for North Shore Animal League America, the author of The New York Times Best Selling books Oh My Dog! And Yoda: the Story of a Cat and His Kittens. Her most recent children’s book is Yoda Gets a Buddy. She has hosted shows for National Geographic, HGTV, Spike TV, and continues to host Hallmark Channel’s annual “Kitten Bowl” and “Cat Bowl” as well as the Hero Dog Awards. 

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