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Celebrity Rescue News–Spring Adoptions & More!

By: Author Grace Sydney

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As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers… and, as we enjoy May, let’s take a look back at last month and a few of the many animal-loving notables who showered dogs and cats in need with love, both through adoption and by their good works. (For a daily dose of celebrity dog and cat rescue news, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @HollywoodDogs!)

Dogs Adopted by Famous Pet Parents in April

Following in the paw prints of the past nine pups who have brought smiles to generations of British animal-loving little ones, a dog adopted from the largest dog rescue charity in the United Kingdom has not only been adopted, he is also starring in the longest-running children’s television show in the world, Blue Peter.

Found at the Loughborough branch of Dogs Trust, two-year-old Henry is a Beagle/Basset Hound. Barney, the last dog to be a regular cast member on Blue Peter, was also adopted from Dogs Trust. An adorable adoptable scored a touchdown in the heart of pro football star Tyler Matakevich when the linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers joined the annual huddle of animal-loving athletes and luminaries for Show your Soft Side‘s Pawject Runway, benefiting BARCS:

In case you missed it: This adoption took place in March, but it’s never too late to say “congratulations!” to a new pet parent! Melissa Villasenor, who tickles the funny bones of TV viewers as a cast member on SNL, was tickled pink when found her pretty pup Penny at Best Friends Animal Society Los Angeles.

Stars Who Raised Awareness of Paws Causes in April

In tribute to his beloved dog Dogbert, who recently crossed Rainbow Bridge following a battle with Degenerative Myelopathy, 90210 star Trevor Donovan donated a dog wheelchair to a retired K-9 officer named Thor, who is losing the ability to use his hind legs. Fans of the actor can read about Trevor Donovan’s late canine companion and his other fur babies in the just-released book Love Always…Dogbert’s Journey.

Revved up to help dogs and cats who need forever homes, actors Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer), Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, The Flash), Johnathan Fernandez (Lethal Weapon) and Rekha Shama (Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: Discovery) were among the multitudes of motorcycle riders who took to the open road for Tulip Ride, a 160 mile trek up the Snoqualmie Valley which raises funds each year for The Seattle Humane Society.

A star of such iconic sci-fi series as Doctor Who, Torchwood and Arrow, John Barrowman stepped into his real life role of an animal advocate during his recent stint as guest host of the British talk show This Morning. The actor offered to pay the adoption fees of Daffy and Ozzy, two adorable, adoptable Jack Russell Terriers from Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary who were looking for a forever home together. Known by sci-fi fans for his roles as Captain Jen-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise, Sir Patrick Stewart is currently acting as a foster pet parent to Emma, a Pit Bull mix from the L.A. -based rescue Wags and Walks who hopes to land a starring role in the life of a forever family. Emma is walking in the paw prints of fellow Fido Ginger, another Pittie from Wags and Walks who enjoyed a stay in the Stewart abode in 2017 as she waited for the day when she would find a home of her own.

As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex waited for the arrival of their bundle of joy, fans of the royal couple celebrated the impending birth by raising funds for several charitable organizations, including a charity that helps fur babies in need of forever families to call their own. As Meghan Markle took on the role of royal ambassador for The Mayhew Animal Home in January 2019, the rescue organization was one of three non-profits chosen for the viral #GlobalSussexBabyShower initiative.

Animal lovers fell “Head Over Heels” for The Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle when she paid a visit to her charity Animal People Alliance in India!

In tune with the needs of Upstate New York after flooding in August 2018, the rock band Phish has donated a total of $100,000 through the band’s WaterWheel Foundation to help seven non-profit organizations in Schuyler County. Among the groups chosen to receive funds to aid ongoing recovery efforts was The Humane Society of Schuyler County.

Wearing his heart on his sleeve for dogs and cats in need, actor Ross Butler (Shazam!, Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why) urged others to do the same by wearing “Unconditional” t-shirts which raised funds for Best Friends Animal Society. $10 from the sale of each t-shirt (which quickly sold out) was donated to the paws cause.

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke helped adoptable dogs from North Shore Animal league America in their effort to win the Game of Homes during a Rescue Dog Rescue segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Actress Loretta Swit, who portrayed nurse Margaret Houlihan in the long-running series M*A*S*H, helps to heal the lives of dogs and cats in need as a supporter of Ayla’s Acres Animal Rescue. The star recently attended a cocktail party/pet adoption event at Underwood Jewelers to raise funds and awareness of the paws cause.

Looking Ahead

Football-loving foodies with a hunger to help dogs and cats in need should check out The Chow Down, taking place May 31st at the Bell Tower in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by Logan Ryan of the Tennessee Titans, the epicurean event will raise funds for the efforts of The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation.

When their current concert tour rolls into Midland, Michigan on June 28th Big & Rich will perform “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and their other chart-topping hits to help organizations that save dogs and cats in need. Joined by fellow country crooners Jesse Labelle and Granger Smith, the concert at Dow Diamond will raise funds for the Humane Societies of Midland and Bay Counties. In Memoriam In the early 80s he was the lead singer of Blotto, a band whose tongue in cheek video for the song “I Wanna Be A Lifeguard” was among the first ever shown on MTV. Greg Haymes passed away on April 10th, and those who wish to honor the writer and musician’s memory are encouraged to send a donation to an organization that guards the lives of homeless dogs and cats, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

April Birthdays of Animal-Loving Luminaries

Just weeks before her passing, Doris Day turned 97 on April 3rd, and in celebration of her birthday fans of the entertainment icon gave the present of a better future for four-leggers in need by sending donations to The Doris Day Animal Foundation. (Look for a tribute to the late entertainment icon and animal welfare legend in the May edition of Celebrity Animal Rescue News):

Even Grumpy Cat‘s famous frown turned upside down on her birthday, which took place on April 4th. Since the start of the cantankerous kitty’s rise to stardom Grumpy Cat (aka Tardar Sauce) has come to the aid of her fellow felines by helping such animal welfare organizations as Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue, Berkeley Humane, The Tree House Humane Society and the San Francisco SPCA.

A monarch who knows that dogs rule, Queen Elizabeth II turned 93 on April 21st. For 60 years Her Majesty acted as Royal Patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, a title which she passed on to Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall in 2017.

Fans of Fidos and felines sing the praises of multi-Grammy Award winner Emmylou Harris, who celebrated her birthday on April 2nd. The music icon is the founder of Bonaparte’s Retreat Dog Rescue.

He may have portrayed a villain in The Dark Knight, but in real life actor Eric Roberts is a superhero for animals in need. The Golden Globe-nominated star nice posed with his rescue cat Stu for Last Chance for Animals’ “Adopt, Don’t Shop” campaign.

A star of the FOX series The Gifted, actress Jamie Chung (who celebrated her birthday on April 10th) gave the gift of a forever home to her rescue dog Ewok back in 2015, and together they helped to promote the option of pet adoption in a Think Adoption First PSA from Petco.

Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans from the Travel Channel series Ghost Adventures, who celebrated his birthday on April 5, is a long-time supporter of the Nevada SPCA, an organization that helps dogs and cats who wouldn’t have a ghost of a chance without a helping hand.

In 2017 the star of the ABC drama series For the People, actress Britt Robertson (birthday April 18th) struck a pose with her rescue pups for dogs and cats in need. The actress is just one of the many celebrity supporters of Best Friends Animal Society and the non-profit organization’s mission to Save Them All.

Star of the iconic Franco Zeffirelli-directed version of Romeo and Juliet, Olivia Hussey (birthday April 17th) shares with fans on social media her eternal love of all creatures great and small. The actress frequently shines a spotlight on dogs and cats in need of forever homes.

April 28th marked the birthday of Animal Planet purr-sonality Jackson Galaxy! The star of My Cat from Hell and founder of The Jackson Galaxy Project to help our feline friends in need is also a supporter of Best Friends Animal Society’s mission to #SaveThemAll.

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This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.