Photo: Jim Wright, Nutrish / AP
Rachael Ray has something new on her plate and it's certainly pet-friendly.
The daytime television host and passionate pet lover recently announced Mutt Madness -- a pet charity contest to help fund organizations dedicated to helping animals in need. "This is a great way to distribute a lot of money and raise awareness for all of the groups involved," Ray told Paw Nation.
Ray and a star-studded panel of animal-lovers including Kathy Griffin and Beth Ostrosky, will choose 64 dedicated pet charities to participate in the contest, which plans on giving out a total of $200,000 to numerous groups. Rescue agencies will be chosen from online submissions through September 30. "We're really looking to educate ourselves about animal rescue groups because, especially with the recession, there's more abandoned animals now then ever," Ray said.
Using the NCAA March Madness format, the 64 selected charities will be assigned random spots in the bracket and receive $1,000 in the first round. The public will then vote online and determine the winners for the next several rounds.
Charities will receive an additional $1,000 donation every time they move to the next round. The grand winner will be announced in December and will receive $50,000.
The contest's proceeds were raised from the sale of Nutrish, Ray's line of dog food and treats. Profits from each sale are donated to support Rachael's Rescue, a fund that is dedicated to helping animal rescue organizations. (According to Newsday, Rachael's Rescue raised $400,000 last year.) With so much money to give away and so many requests from rescue groups in need, Ray wanted a method to figure out which group would benefit the best from the donation -- and Mutt Madness was born!
A pet owner for 20 years, the Emmy Award winner was inspired to create Mutt Madness through her deep connection with both her former Pitbull Boo and her current Red-Nosed Pitbull Isaboo. "They've taught me so much about life and the capacity an animal has to offer unconditional love," Ray said.
Ray wants this to be the first of many Mutt Madness contests, "I really hope we can keep this going and raise more money each year."
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Rachael, I watch those commercials for animal shelters and they bring tears to my eyes. I wish I could take in all of them. I was raised on a farm in Iowa and was taught that the animals come before us. We have a choice of our home, but they don't. If you are going to have them them take care of them . I have several animals myself and could not part with anyone of them. I've seen tears in their eyes when they were sad., I've seen the fear in their eyes when they were hurt or scared. I have also been greatly rewarded when I helped them. A few years ago I had to stay in the hospital for a week after surgery. My roommate at the time had to move to my bed to keep my 3lb. chihuahua calm and eating for the whole week. I've seen dogs go thruogh greif over the death of a loved one, human and animal. I will never understand how people can abuse this kind of devotion to the level that they so. I have the ut-most respect for you for doing what you are doing and I have a feeling you too, have seen the same things I've seen and they touched you the same way. I wish there was more that I could do to help. God bless you for being such a humanitarian. And how great it is you have John. It takes one to live with one, so John must be as compassionate as you. That sounds like one hell of a combination. Goodluck to both of you.
Rachel, I watch your 30 minute meals every night, not only do you have a knack for cooking but also for expressing yourself for such a worthy cause. I have horses and dogs and they are such a joy and blessing in my life. It doesn't matter what is going on in my life, how I am feeling or how I look they love me unconditionally as I do them. I could't imagine life without them and I thank God for them everyday. Thank you for doing this event, you are a wonderful person!
Debra Wooten,
Why do you and so many fans (I don't know why she has so many fans) misspell her Name. It is Rachael, not Rachel. I don't think the $200,000 comes out of her pocket.
I usually can't stand her but this helps turn the tide.
I urge others to donate to shelters etc. I give the $18 a month to the aspca and have 3 rescues, this is not a brag but It really does make me feel good I am doing something in this world that helps. The next is the wales as the Japanese stink with the lies and their nonsense and the Canadians clubbing seals and all the rest. Till the animals are armed help them!
How sad for Rachel Ray. I guess a dog or cat is always more important than a human. I love how these celebrities always seem to cater to the dogs and cats of America rather than helping helpless human beings who are in desperate need of love and affection. I think most animal lovers are more fond of non-human animals because of some hurt they have experienced from a human at some point in their lives. Humans can be as unconditional with their love just as much as a dog or a cat. Do something good for a real cause and hug a human today!
Human beings are not helpless. Animals can't work and take care of themselves. Humans need to get off their butts and take care of themselves and stop asking for handouts!!! I will always support the people who help animals!!
she is NOT a chef and a poor tallent. So sick of her. Get her off the air. Wasted time on TVN
Dear Rachael,
I have been an avid watcher of your cooking 30 mins for a long time now, I have watched you on vacation and enjoyed all of your shows so very much.
Now you are going to raise money for defenless and abused animals I think that it is wonderful. I have always been an animal lover from way back when. I now have two dogs, one Besinge and Terrior and one Italian Greyhound. We have also housed 3 cats who were rejects. I adore my pets and would not let anything happen to them. I am so glad you are doing this for the abanded and abused animals Everytime I ee them on TV it breaks my heart to say the least. God Bless you. You are a wonderful lady.
Sandy
This is such a wonderful idea. Bless you Rachael for being so compassionate and caring. I only ask that someone screen these comments before they are posted in order to keep characters from posting things that don't have anything to do with animals.
I think what you are doing for the animals is a very good idea. We live in the country and you wouldn't believe how many stray kittens are just thrown away. Someday if a contest or fund or marathon could be done to promote the altering of all these animals maybe we could slow down the growth of unwanted animals especially kittens, we now have two new kittens about 12 weeks old.
I have a 12 year old pekingese and she is very spoiled. I tried your new dog food Nutrish and she loves it,I have never seen her eat so much food since she was born. Keep up the good work.
Wth the millions Rachael has...........she could donate a million without blinking an eye. Why is she raising money? Maybe she will donate a million also.
what a wonderful thing to do! I too am an animal lover. I just recently lost my best friend of 13 years,Kisha.She had a stroke and her vet said it may get worse.So the humane thing to do was put her down. Here in Arizona it gets very HOT and so many animals are left when their owners (because of the economy )could not take them. I would like to take them in but because of my age and health I can not. God bless you for what you are doing. Remember God thinks of them as beings too.
Rachel, does this apply to cats also? My wife and I have a ministry of stray and ferral cat aid. Nobody wants them and they show up in my yard. I live next to the Maumee River and these cats are really helping keep the rodents away! We've spent time trapping these cats to get them fixed and shots to keep thier population down. It is costing us alot of $. We feed the cats so they don't disturbe garbage cans, and they earn thier food buy the varmits they catch. The trips to the animal hospitals is outragious. Ant way you could help a poor cat?
You mention the Maumee River, so I assume you are in Ohio. You might check to see if there are any organizations in your area that can help you with the spaying and neutering of these feral and unwanted cats.
Feral Cat Assistance has helped a lot of people with feral cat populations in the area where I live in North Carolina.
This is another miracle for the animals and I thank you and God that this is taking place. Bless you. It's marvelous and the right thing to do.
Jimmy Choo go back to your shoes! Many Celebrities help Humans. It is not sad she helps animals it shows she has compassion for ALL life! I really don't like her but I respect this initiative! Stop trying to be intelligent you just make yourself look less than you are trying to be!
Jerry breitinger no the Money doesn't come out of her pocket but her name lent to the cause is what makes people donate!
Melanie I am sure she does donate but just because she has millions doesn't mean she has to give millions! If everyone who could including you donated a $1 a month there would be enough donations to feed everyone and everything. But alas close minded and selfish people like you think that because the rich have money they should just give it away..... Didn't they work just as hard for their money as you worked for yours!
You should all get your heads outta the sand or where ever it is!
Interesting idea, keep up the good work.
ToddDiroberto