Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Image
The holidays are a bittersweet time for animals. More families invite new pets into their homes than any other time of year, but unfortunately, most of these new furry friends come from backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Thankfully, Iams Home 4 the Holidays, founded in 1999 and going strong, is aiming to help adopt 1,500,000 pets this holiday season via non-profit shelters and rescue organizations.
In the past, animal-loving celebrities such as Diane Keaton and Kristen Bell have lent a helping hand to participating non-profit shelters, and this year, Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank joins the ranks of animal ambassadors. While you may think this is Swank's first turn around the adoption block, you'd be wrong.
John van Zante, spokesman for the Helen Woodward Animal Center where the drive originated, tells Paw Nation that Swank has been involved with animal shelters and rescues since she was a teenager, and has two rescued dogs of her own.
Swank recently came out for a shoot at the Helen Woodward Animal Center and brought her dogs along. "Her dogs are part of her life," says van Zante. "That's who she is."
He did say there was one "problem" with Swank during the shoot, though -- she kept disappearing between takes to visit the animals at the shelter! "She went to the animal therapy center and met Harriet, our umbrella cockatoo; she worked with our medical staff to do an exam on a baby kitten. She was in the kennel with some puppies and of course she had to bring treats along. She really loves and cares about animals. It's just so genuine."
For more information, including lists of participating shelters near you, visit home4theholidays.com.
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It was really nice share. I really enjoyed reading it. One more thing she is so beautiful.zante holidays
I really appreciate the down to earthness that she seems to bring to the wold of Hollywood. I respect her work and her attitude when I have seen any of her interviews. She does seem genuine and a her face reflects what I believe is in her soul. She has my respect and I will continue to watch her work and enjoy every minute of it.
Thank you Hillary and may God bless you with continued sucess and much happiness.