“All of the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” A time to take the words of Saint Francis of Assisi to heart, Remember Me Thursday is a day to light the way for a better future for homeless dogs and cats.
When is Remember Me Thursday?
The 2023 Remember Me Thursday® event takes place on September 28; the event is always planned for the fourth Thursday of September. This annual pet awareness day was founded in 2013 by San Diego’s Helen Woodward Animal Center, united with animal welfare proponents and organizations worldwide.
Join animal lovers from more than 190 countries to help the world #SeeTheLight about the need to choose the option of pet adoption.
Celebrity Luminaries Shine a Spotlight on Remember Me Thursday
Since it began in 2013, stars have aligned to take part in and promote Remember Me Thursday. In 2023, the mother/daughter duo of Andie MacDowell and Rainey Qualley will act as Official Spokespersons for the event!
“We’ve always had some kind of pet,” says MacDowell. “We had cats or dogs, and the love that my children received from them I understood deep to my core. I also loved watching my children return that love, understanding and the responsibility of having a pet.”
An A-list animal advocate, Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and A Funeral, Groundhog Day, Ready or Not) shares her home with many four-legged friends, among them a rescue dog named Ava.
“My rescue dog Ava is a kind and loving soul. To know that this sweet girl waited for a home for two years until our family fell in love with her is just heartbreaking. On Remember Me Thursday®, please help spread the word about these lovable pets just waiting to be discovered. A new best friend is waiting for you at an animal organization near you!”
Following in her famous mother’s philanthropic footsteps, singer/actress Rainey Qualley has fostered kittens and is a proud pet parent to three cats (Jesus, Myrtle and Wizard), five chickens and a rescue dog dubbed Arlo, who was adopted from the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
“I lived in Montana as a young child where we had horses, cows, chickens, pigs, bunnies, dogs and plenty of cats, which I’ve always had a particularly soft spot for,” explained Qualley. “Loving animals as much as I do, I’ve been vegetarian for 17 years now. It brings me so much joy to take care of animals.”
Previous Spokespersons
In 2022, the Official Spokesperson was Jasmine Tookes, an American fashion model and businesswoman. She grew up surrounded by animals including cats, rats and turtles just to name a few!
“Pet adoption is something that is near and dear to my heart, but a lot of people may not have the knowledge or information on pet adoption. Remember Me Thursday provides the perfect opportunity to learn and hopefully change people’s minds who were once never open to the idea of adoption.”
Jasmine Tookes
Following the footsteps of such animal-loving luminaries as Katherine Heigl, Kristen Chenoweth, Wynonna, Carrie Ann Inaba, reality personality Bethenny Frankel and actress Jennie Garth of Beverly HIlls 90210 fame, Brittany Aldean (animal advocate and wife of country music star Jason Aldean) held the title of spokesperson for the 2021 event.
“To know that you have altered the course of an innocent animal’s life by giving them a chance to live happily and healthily is one of the best things you can do. I am so excited to be the Remember Me Thursday spokesperson and cannot wait to help everyone #SeeTheLight on the importance of rescuing animals!”
Brittany Aldean
Other famous fans of our four-legged friends who have illuminated the date for Remember Me Thursday through the years include:
- David Backes
- Kristin Bauer
- Linda Blair
- Dr. Marty Becker
- Ashley Bell
- Bryan Bickell
- Mark Buehrle
- Jeff Carter
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Bo Derek
- Wendy Diamond
- Greg Evans
- Gabriel Feitosa
- Bethenny Frankel
- Kevin Frazier
- Tamar Geller
- Debbie Gibson
- Jack Hanna
- Katherine Heigl
- Liam Hendriks
- Elaine Hendrix
- Carrie Ann Inaba
- Daymond John
- Wynonna Judd
- Diane Keaton
- Kevin Kiermaier
- Anze Kopitar
- Bonnie-Jill Laflin
- Sandra Lee
- Javicia Leslie
- Jamie Little
- Joey Logano
- Evan Longoria
- George Lopez
- Andie MacDowell
- Ross Mathews
- Patrick McDonnell
- Jake Muzzin
- Kathy Najimy
- Ryan Newman
- Rodney Peete
- Pauley Perrette
- Melissa Peterman
- Jill Rappaport
- Eric Roberts
- Megan Rose
- Logan Ryan
- Marc Rzepczynski
- Hannah Shaw
- Christian Siriano
- Rick Springfield
- Beth Stern
- Victoria Stilwell
- Mark Steines
- David Tutera
- Lou Wegner
- Wil Wheaton
- Larissa Wohl
- Bellamy Young
Some of our favorite high-profile pals with paws are also using their star wattage to help their fellow animals in need, including:
- Alien Cat Matilda
- Baloo
- Bamboo
- Belarus the Cat
- Best Boy Brodiead
- Boogie Shoes
- Chewie
- Chi Chi
- Chloe
- Choupette’s Diary
- Cole and Marmalade
- Cooper
- Fugee
- Josh
- Justin Fire Survivor
- Kitten Faces
- Lil BUB
- Louie
- Memphis
- Mimo & Kirry
- Molly Happiness
- Monty Boy
- Mork
- Mr. Bigglesworth
- My Cat Kyle
- My Dear Puudin
- Nala Cat
- Norbert
- Paddington
- Piglet
- Purrminators
- Sauerkraut Kitty
- Smus
- Spencer
- Stevie
- Sunglass Cat
- Tango
- Tuna
- Venus
- White Coffee Cat
- Worried Cat (a.k.a Bum)
All photos courtesy Helen Woodward Animal Center
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