animal lovers can upload photos of rescued pets; the top three vote getters to determine which pet organizations split $25,000 donation
December 15 2011 - Things tend to get pretty hectic this time of year - with last minute shopping, holiday get-togethers and with family and friends visiting from out of town. But television host and bestselling author, Rachael Ray is hoping we can find the time this holiday season to remember our four legged friends - many of which have no one to care for them.
She has partnered with PEOPLE and PEOPLEPets.com to create Click the Cutest: Rachael Ray’s Shelter Helpers’ program as a way to raise awareness about the joy of adopting a pet. Starting today, the public is invited to upload a photo of any adorable pet they have adopted in the past and view photos of other rescued animals.
From December 19th through 23rd, PEOPLEPets.com will select 10 pet photos each day, and everyone is invited to vote on which rescue animal is the cutest. At the end of the contest, the three pets with the most votes will get the opportunity to decide which animal charities Rachael will donate $25,000 to - the most votes receives $15,000 to donate, second receives $7,500 and third receives $2,500.
In 2008, Rachael partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to create a super premium line of pet foods and treats called Nutrish and Nutrish Just 6 as a way to continuously fund programs that help animals in need. She personally donates 100% of her proceeds from the sale of Nutrish to shelters and organizations that provide food, medical supplies and treatments for needy animals. To date, Rachael Ray and Nutrish have donated close to $2.5 million in cash to organizations ranging from the ASPCA and the North Shore Animal League to Mighty Mutts and Bad Rap.
The contest’s $25,000 donation is a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Nutrish that Rachael donates annually.
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“Everyone knows I love animals, especially my dog Isaboo. Unfortunately there are a lot of animals out there that don’t have someone to love and care for them,” said Rachael. “The great thing about this ‘Shelter Helpers’ promotion is that it celebrates those that choose to rescue an animal and in turn helps a deserving animal organization continue to care for animals in need.”
PEOPLEPets.com is an interactive destination for animal lovers that delivers dynamic photos of celebrities and their pets, the latest animal news, fabulous pet style and product reviews, inspirational rescue stories, and funny pet photos and videos.
The winners will choose the recipient of the three donations from a vetted list of rescue and shelter organizations.
Vetted organizations include America’s VetDogs, ASPCA, Bad Rap, Mighty Mutts, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, North Shore Animal League, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, Best Friends Animal Society and the Jason Heigl Foundation.
For more information on Nutrish and Rachael’s Rescue, visit rachaelray.com’s Pet section. To vote on Click the Cutest: Rachael Ray’s Shelter Helpers or to upload a photo of your own, go to PEOPLEPets.com.
About Rachael’s Rescue TM and Nutrish
In 2008, Rachael Ray partnered with pet nutrition experts from Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to develop a line of super premium food and treats for dogs called Rachael Ray Nutrish®. Rachael Ray Nutrish® is made with simple, natural ingredients and includes three full-feeding varieties featuring real meat as the first ingredient - Real Chicken and Veggies, Real Beef and Brown Rice, and Healthy Weight with Real Turkey. All of Ray’s proceeds from each sale of Rachael Ray Nutrish®, Just 6® food and treats for dogs and the Nutrish Healthy Weight lines are donated to organizations that help animals in need through Rachael’s RescueTM. So, not only are Nutrish products great for your dog, they’re great for countless other dogs as well.
12.20.11 @ 3:54 pm
how does a rescue organization become vetted by Rachel’s Rescue?
12.26.11 @ 12:51 pm
Hello. I would like to enter my sweet dog companion Beau in the rescued dog photo contest. I cannot find the link on the site. Can you please advise. Thanks!
12.30.11 @ 9:33 am
Hi there! I was wondering who the winner is and which shelter was chosen
01.10.12 @ 3:57 pm
Help!
I rescued a medium sized mama and her 2 pups from the side of I-55. I have adopted before and my house is full with 5 dogs now. If my landlord finds out about this, I will surly be looking for a new place to live. I cannot keep them here. Please help me with this situation. I cannot bring myself to take them to the Jackson animal pound. Can you assist me with a NO-Kill shelter. The two that are located here are ARFMS and CARA, but they are full. Please help!
Andy McCrory
01.19.12 @ 8:25 am
I have adopted a blind poodle named Skippy. I had always wanted a poodle and now my dream has come true. He is an older dog and I can see him failing. Why would someone take him to a shelter and tell them that they found him in a local park. I wonder if he was abused and lost his sight and they had no use for him anymore.
01.28.12 @ 4:32 pm
I was born in the country. I grew up in Chicago. I am now disabled, living on a fixed income, and live in the NW Suburbs of Chicago where there is a 2 pet limit in my apartment complex. My dream is to have a nice home in the country where I can help every animal who needs a home and feed every animal that needs food, including the wild ones. I’m so sad because I can’t even feed my own family. We go to a local food pantry once a month for food for myself and my daughter and our pets. If anyone reads this that can/will help me achieve my dream to have a home in the country where I can help needy animals, please consider me. I can’t believe that God would put such a strong love and desire in my heart for animals and not provide a way for me to do so. Help me if you can and I promise I’ll never turn an animal away.
02.14.12 @ 9:12 am
Every year Timberlane Pet Hospital in Plant City, Fl hosts a charity event called Fashion, Feathers, and Fur for a number of local rescue groups- Pit Stop Bully’s, Florida Boxer Rescue, Second Chance Boxer Rescue, Florida Parrot Rescue and several others. Anyone that reads this can help with even a small contribution to our silent auction or raffle.
02.20.12 @ 11:17 am
Recently our local humane society was charged with in-humane treatment of animals including not using euthanasia medicine while putting them down (its a long story). So my 15 year old daughter, Cassidi, decided she was going to help. One of the local judges opened up an animal shelter here in town and my 15year old daughter Cassidi has been helping to raise $ and purchasing items that is needed for this shelter. I was wondering if you had any idea’s or tips on how she could go about raising more? She has called local stores and they have donated as well as setting up tables in front of WalMart stores and others to take donations but she is wanting to do something on a more permanently basis if possible. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Kim
Paducah, KY
02.25.12 @ 6:15 pm
I am trying to raise much needed funds for S.W.I.P.R., A non-profit 501(c)3
rescue in Idaho. We are dedicated to the aid and rescue of the Pug breed.
Anyone have great ideas to raise money? We could really use your thoughts on this. I sew pet beds to sell, and we also hold bake sales, yard sales,etc. Unfortunately, the vet costs are much more than what our funds cover.
Thank you for any ideas!
Sincerely,
Carin Sein
03.16.12 @ 3:46 pm
Dear Rachael, We are the Hoopers,
We have saved many of dogs, mainly pit bulls. They are like our children. I have a devistating situation. I am writing it here because I can not find a way to write to you. Our family moved out to montana from colorado it has been rough. We had a beautiful male brindel, sadly he died from cancer. It shook our family and we were very sad over it. luckily we a have his daught xena she is only 3 years old and mite lose her life. A short time ago she tried to jump the fence due to a visiting dog. When she landed xena couldnt walk. You could tell she was in a lot of pain. We took her to the vet the next day, our family has paid out every last penny for her meds and 2 visits., she tore her tendens and needs surgery. If she doesnt get the surgery we have to put her down, she has to be on pain meds and sedated most of the time. I feel for her dearly. She is only 3 years old and has a lot of life in her. She is sooo loving and craring. so sweet and gentle. The center of attention. The surgerys are 2,000 dollars a leg and we can not afford them. Rachael ray I am hoping you can steer me in the direction of help.An orginization that helps or helps with payments or finding a Dr. to do it, there is only one here. I know you are a pit lover and a very kind hearted person. I just hope this gets read. my email is NewHooperFam69@yahoo.com please help us save our dog, she is like a daughter to us. Thank You for your time from all the Hoopers
04.10.12 @ 11:11 am
Rachael, I am from a small town in TN. Recently, my daughter and I visited the Tennessee Animal Rescue and Shelter. It is located in Lawrenceburg TN, It is a small rescue that is growing rapidly. It is ran by three people. I was impressed at how clean the kennels were and how healthy all the dogs were. We adopted a dog that they have had over a year. They have several beautiful pits, and lots of puppies. The county that this rescue is located does not have a shelter or Humane Society. I was wondering if you could find it in your heart to help this shelter out in any way. They are such wonderful people and never turn any dog away. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the shelter. Thanks for listening.
09.06.12 @ 10:20 am
I have a Pit Bull and he is the most loving dog and I would not trade him for anything. I wish you made grain free pet food. He has to eat special food because he cna not have wheat, rice, beef and corn.Great Show