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Stars Help Animals Affected by Hurricane Harvey

By: Author Grace Sydney

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Professions which attract the spotlight also offer those who stand in its glow the ability to illuminate issues so that problems…and ultimately, solutions… can be seen by more people. From choosing the option of pet adoption to the plight of puppy mill dogs, celebrities have helped to raise both the public’s awareness of, and much-needed funds for, a number of paws causes. Now as stars give to, and ask for, support for people affected by Hurricane Harvey, many are also providing aid for animals whose lives have been altered by one of the largest natural disasters in US history.

As animal-loving luminaries make monetary donations and give the gift of their time by volunteering and taking part in fundraisers for Harvey’s four-legged victims in the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to update this page with their efforts as a way to focus attention on the many large and small animal welfare organizations which so desperately need help in this time of need.

NOTE: While people in the public eye may have the means to make large donations, please remember that ANY contribution to hurricane relief– no matter how small– makes a BIG difference!

Providing animal lovers with food for the soul during this difficult time, Rachael Ray announced: “Thanks to your support of our Nutrish brands, we are able to donate $1 million today, though The Rachael Ray Foundation, to help support various animal welfare organizations who are actively working in Texas and Louisiana to care for animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey.” The SPCA of Texas and Austin Pets Alive! have received $100,000 donations.

“Thanks to your support of our @Nutrish brands, we are able to donate $1 million today, through The Rachael Ray Foundation, to help support various animal welfare organizations who are actively working in Texas and Louisiana to care for animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey. $100,000 donations have been made to @SPCATexas and @AustinPetsAlive!, who are already providing disaster relief to animals in need. We will continue our commitment to work with national and local organizations to assess needs and provide the additional earmarked funds. Thank you to all who are donating their time, effort and money as goodwill to our neighbors is most important during times like these.” -RR [Photo credit Austin Pets Alive!] #hurricaneharvey

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The news that Steve Aoki is helping both people and pets affected by Harvey is music to the ears of the DJ/record producers fans. Stepping in front of a camera to declare his donation ($15,000 to the Houston Humane Society and $15,000 to the Houston Food Bank) and to urge others in the music community to lend a helping hand, the founder of The Aoki Foundation– which supports both brain science and research areas as well as humanitarian causes like disaster relief and animal rights– stated:

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While the tales told on the sets of his Bravo network chat fest Watch What Happens Live and the FOX series Love Connection have been known to make tongues wag, TV host Andy Cohen is helping to make the tails of Texas dogs wag thanks to his contribution to a paws cause. The proud pet parent of rescue dog Wacha announced to fans via Twitter:

On her latest album Miley Cyrus may sing about “Malibu,” but the star’s thoughts are with the people and pets in Houston and other areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Along with giving $500,000 to hurricane relief, all donations currently received by her nonprofit the Happy Hippie Foundation will benefit a number of organizations helping in the recovery effort, including Best Friends Animal Society.

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She tickles our collective funny bone each weekday on her syndicated talk show, and now Ellen DeGeneres has touched our hearts by helping both the two-and four-legged victims of Hurricane Harvey with a $25,000 personal check to the American Red Cross and a matching donation from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as $25,000 to the SPCA of Texas.

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Having already seen firsthand the horrors of a hurricane’s aftermath from working with injured animals after Katrina, Dr. Karen “Doc” Halligan (who TV viewers may recognize from such Animal Planet series as Dogs 101 and America’s Cutest) embarked on a trip to Brazoria County in her role as Lucy Pet Foundation’s Chief Veterinary Officer to help dogs and cats whose lives have been turned upside down due to Hurricane Harvey.

The well-known veterinarian, who went on the mission of mercy with Lucy Pet Foundation and Lucy Pet Products founder Joey Herrick and LPF Registered Veterinary Technician Casey Jenkins, stated that: “The Lucy Pet Foundation will assist in the day-to-day treatment of shelter pets and help with the constant influx of animals in need of medical care for upper respiratory problems, skin infections, ringworm plus help manage the 300 plus animals being housed at the nearby fairgrounds.”

When talking about the canines and cats she has encountered while providing comfort and care, the well-known veterinarian said: “It is just astonishing to see the number of pets who are lost, homeless or injured as a result of this devastating hurricane. It breaks your heart to see animals in pain and in shock. They are so vulnerable and afraid.”

The Lucy Pet Foundation is a registered charity which strives to stop the loss of more than 80,000 companion animals each week in the U.S. shelter system. To make a donation to the non-profit’s efforts to help the Brazoria County SPCA, visit the Lucy Pet Foundation website.


Photo Credit: Lucy Pet Foundation

Fans of canines and country music are singing the praises of Texas native Miranda Lambert. The chart-topper embarked on a three-day mission of mercy with her nonprofit MuttNation Foundation team and volunteers to move adoptable companion animals already in shelters in Houston and surrounding areas in order that pets separated from their families due to hurricane Harvey can have places to stay as they wait to be reunited with their loved ones.

Helping the ongoing effort to create a better reality for animals displaced by Harvey, former reality personality Adrienne Maloof of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame and her family made a $20,000 donation to American Humane. An American Humane ambassador, the fashion designer is the founder of the Adrienne Maloof Camp Kindness program, which passes on to underpriviledged children a passion for compassion toward our pals with paws:

Tackling the plight of both people and pets in the wake of Hurricane Harvey head on, Sam Martin of the Detroit Lions took to social media to let fans know about the #Detroit2Houston supply drive and to issue a challenge. For every retweet of his Twitter message regarding the drive, he and his canine companion Leo would donate 6 pounds of dog food, up to $10,000! Those unable to bring items to the two Detroit pick up locations on the weekend of September 2 -3 can still make a monetary donation to the Sam Martin Foundation. All of the proceeds will go toward Houston relief.

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