Maria Menounos Honored for Helping Shelter Pets

Maria Menounos, who recently joined Mario Lopez as co-host of Extra, is always willing to go the extra mile to help our four-legged friends. On October 6, 2011 the celebrity news correspondent who gives fans the 411 on their favorite stars became the news as her devotion toward shelter pets was recognized at a launch party for Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters (FLAAS).

A dog devotee with four furry family members (including Athena, a puppy mill rescue who posed with her paparazzi magnet pet parent for a Last Chance for Animals ad campaign) Menounos was escorted to the event (which was held at K9s Only) by her white German Shepherd Apollo, who had found himself at a shelter after being thrown from a moving vehicle.

Using her star status to promote the option of shelter adoption, over the years Menounos has attended L.A. Animal Services adoption events, stepped in front of the camera for a Pet Orphans of California PSA, reported on the plight of puppy mill dogs on the Today, served as the ambassador for the Mighty Dog Nation, and most recently filmed an informative clip for potential pet parents which encourages online shelter searches.

In the presence of a glitterati gathering which included actress Allison Janney, Stephanie Pratt, Charlotte Ross, Ever Carradine and Jamie Kennedy, Menounos received an award from Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters– a volunteer-run non-profit founded in December 2010 which helps to provide financial support for L.A.-area shelter veterinary care and adoption programs.

For more information:

• visit http://friendsoflaanimalshelters.org