Hi Sweet Friends,
I’ve been blessed with many teachers throughout my life and they’ve come in all shapes and sizes. My grandmother. Dear friends. My husband. Books. Cancer. Healers. Doctors. The list goes on. Some teachers have been kind, some tough, and others have been a little off their rockers (in the best possible way).
But what I’ve noticed over the years is that my most powerful teachers walk on all fours.
A dairy cow who lived across the street from my childhood home. My soul-kitty Crystal (who I dedicated my second book to). Lately, I’ve been lucky enough to share my home with two wise, silly beings because of our choice to embrace animal adoption and animal rescue.
Most of you know Lola (#lolarocks). She’s part catahoula, part pitbull. Folks think she’s a hilarious hyena. We agree! You’ve probably also met Buddy by now (#gobuddygo). When we found him in the woods and he was a starving and emaciated shell of a dog with a resilient sweet soul. His journey back to health has taught me so much more about healing. It’s a Divine honor to watch him blossom and be part of his life.
That’s why I made this video for you. Often, people think that animal adoption and rescue are selfless acts—a one-way street. They don’t realize that by saving an animal, you could also be saving yourself. The love, companionship, and bond created with these loyal and innocent beings is truly unique and life-changing.
Watch the video above to meet my kids and to learn why my new guy is one of my greatest teachers (and if you want to learn about Lola’s adoption story, watch this video).
I’ve also added some resources for finding a fur-buddy of your own and how to take the best care of them. Check out my infographic for some jaw-dropping stats on adoptable animals in the US today.
Animal Adoption Resources
Where to adopt:
Want to adopt an animal, but don’t know where to start? Use these websites to search for an adoptable animal in your area. Also, you’re awesome!
Helpful adoption tips:
It’s helpful to get educated before bringing a furry new family member into your life. Take some time to read up on the responsibility and preparation that comes along with adopting a pet.
- Questions to ask yourself before adopting
- Adopt-a-Pet’s cat adoption articles
- Adopt-a-Pet’s dog adoption articles
- Tips for the first 30 days of dog adoption
- Tips for the first 30 days of cat adoption
Animal Care Resources
Holistic Veterinarians
You may not have known that holistic veterinarians even existed! They’re the Integrative MDs of the animal world. Your pet’s veterinarian should be able to help you create a diet that fits your animal’s needs. Want to find a holistic vet in your area? Check out these resources:
- American Holistic Veterinary Association
- Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
- American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture
- American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
- Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association
Spaying and Neutering
There are numerous reasons to spay/neuter your pet (check out HSUS’s top ten reasons here), but one of the biggest reasons is overpopulation. As you can see in my infographic, 6-8 million animals enter shelters each year and only half of them are adopted on average. If money is a factor in your decision, check out this low-cost spay/neuter directory to find an affordable option. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of homeless animals today!
Putting an end to puppy mills
Lastly, I want to bring your attention to puppy mills in the US. According to the ASPCA, “A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. Unlike responsible breeders, who place the utmost importance on producing the healthiest puppies possible, breeding at puppy mills is performed without consideration of genetic quality. This results in generations of dogs with unchecked hereditary defects.”
It’s estimated that there are 2,000-3,000 USDA-certified puppy mills in the US, but that number could be as high as 10,000 based on the large number of breeders operating without a license. The number of dogs at these facilities ranges for ten to 1,000 breeding animals. The animals at these mills often live in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions without proper veterinary care or adequate food or water. And many of them are euthanized.
How can you help stop puppy mills?
- Choose to adopt from a shelter rather than buying an animal at a pet store or online.
- Take the ASPCA pledge to boycott pet stores that sell dogs from puppy mills.
- Flex your policy muscles by helping the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade push legislation that will crack down on puppy mills.
I hope that this blog inspires you to adopt an animal in need from a shelter and to research more holistic approaches to caring for your pet. Lola and Buddy have brought so much joy, love and comfort to us—they complete our little family! Adopting them has changed our lives and I know adoption could transform yours too.
Bonus: Blooper Reel
Your Turn: Encourage others to adopt by sharing this article and your story!
Peace & compassion,
I didn’t think I could love you any more. This takes me into the dangerous obsession zone. Seriously, thank you so much for this video and for all you do to promote pet adoption. xxoo
“healing comes in all seasons and we can’t rush that”
wow – amazing how some words just hit home and encapsulate something that I haven’t been able to articulate in that special way, thank you <3
I loved that video Kris! Such an important topic, with information that I also believe people need to know. I have a zoo of fur-babies myself (2 dogs and 3 cats – all rescues) and I love them all to bits! There is no question that they make my life richer and happier. Having done some work in animal rescue, I find so many people to be uninformed, so thanks for helping to get the word out!!
Thanks so much for the privilege of reading your emails and seeing your cute adorable self photo and hearing your fun tales! You are such a joy! I don’t know how to attach or upload a photo here to you, but I’ve been a rescuer ever since I was a toddler, once having rescued two mommy cats who gave birth to 14 babies who slept in my bed at age 9 and how they didn’t get squished I do not know! After college I had two dog friends whose mom was a champion german shorthair pointer who refused to mate with her own kind but fell in love on a Vermont morgan horse farm’s huge black lab stud champion and in minutes, well, there you have it. They
provided endless hours of fun and company. Then we rescued a cat who had been through hell by age two, and he didn’t even know how to meow or prrrrr or snuggle or climb, but slowly learned how to all those things and lasted 16 more years giving us so much love and fun. Thanks for all the joy and beauty and freshness you give to us all and all the furry creatures of this world!
Barbara from Santa Barbara CA
Hi Kris, love, love your “kids”. Life would be so empty without our fur babies. Your genuine, inspiring videos always hit home. You have truly found your calling, to help guide people to a better place.
Watching you run around with your dogs and giving them lots of kisses reminds me so much of how I am with my dog, Maggie. It’s interesting how people can have a lot of strong opinions about pets and how we treat them too much like humans by giving them a lot of affection or connecting with their emotions. Although humans and dogs experience the world quite differently, I believe our emotions are still able to communicate across boundaries… body language, eyes, sounds… these are things that, if we listen, will teach us a lot about our furry children 🙂 And many well respected biologists who for years have studied human and non-human animal emotional communication can attest to that statement. I once had a family member tell me not to display too much affection toward my dog (a.k.a. baby talk and kisses, he he) in front of another family member because said family member has strong values about how dogs should be treated and how people should be treated. Basically, children and adults are suffering all over the world, and so why should a dog receive special treatment? My response to that is yes, people are suffering all over the world – here and abroad – and it’s sad as hell. But at the same time, I’m not superwoman. I can’t change the lives of each individual. I try to do my best in my community and when I’m at home, with my boyfriend and my puppy, Maggie, it’s love all the way. I believe that compassion is compassion – every being deserves it – whether you are a person or a furry friend. Hec, I have a little spider friend who lives in the soil of one of my house plants, and why would I end his life when he’s just doing his spidee thing? Even though his existence is totally different from mine doesn’t not mean he’s life is worth less. That’s crazy talk! Thanks Kris 🙂 You Rock.
So my answer to the family member was: Sorry, not gonna happen 🙂
Peace!
Amen Julie!
Lola and Buddy are very sweet! <3
There's a long way to go still, but thank you for using your voice to help us get there sooner 🙂
All of my beloved children have been rescues. Its the only responsible option. My husband and I live with 4 precious felines. Wouldn’t “do” life without them. 🙂
I’m a radio show host on Transformation Talk Radio in Seattle and I’m going to be starting my own show in May, called “Money Made Easy with Mary Jane Allen”. I’ll be plugging adoption or spay/neuter at the end of each of my shows. 🙂 Kind of a Bob Barker type statement. 🙂 Great opportunity. 🙂
Love to you, Lola, and Buddy from MJ, MacKenz, Ozzie, Norm and Charlotte. 🙂 xoxo
Kris, You are just the brightest light! So genuine, warm and funny. And, oh, the synchronicity of this video showing up in my inbox today. I have loved dogs all of my life but since I moved to NYC over ten years ago I have held back (don’t know why) from adopting a dog. I joke that one of these days there will be one waiting outside my apartment door holding a tag in its mouth with my name on it! 🙂 Just yesterday I was telling someone that I had a dream that I was in a car with another person and a dog when the car plunged into the ocean. I was frantically trying to save the dog. More likely, the dog would probably have saved me. 🙂 This video just might be the tipping point. I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
Hi Kris! Thank you so much for sharing your fur-babies with us! They’re adorable! I too am a HUGE advocate for adoption both of my boys are adopted.
Duke, my 7 year old Border Collie/Pit mix, we got 5 years ago. He was found in GA as a stray and a resuce here in IL pulled him from a high kill shelter where he was on the euthanization list because he had heartworm. He was such a scared, sweet beautiful boy! I’m so grateful that they snuck him on that transport to Chicago. We raised $ for the heartworm treatments and about 5 months after he was brought to IL, he was mine! Duke was very scared and timid, but LOVED to be cuddled and his belly rubbed. We knew there was a playful little boy waiting to come out so we decided to get a puppy. 🙂
A year and a half after we adopted Duke, we adopted Roscoe who was a 3 month old Pit/Lab mix. Roscoe’s mother was brought in to Chicago ACC pregnant. They didn’t have room for puppies so they were going to abort the litter. Within, a few hours of a planned abortion It’s A Pittie Rescue stepped in and found a foster home for mom and babies. They saved them!
My boys have grown to love, enjoy and respect each other and with Roscoe’s help, Duke has DEFINITELY come out of his shell. Roscoe is Mr. Fearless and shows Duke what confidence looks like. At the same time, Duke shows him what respect looks like. They’re not perfect and we have our training issues, but they’re so loved and we know they love us. They are my children and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world!
We also fostered one of the best dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing a few years ago. He was found locked in a crate with another dog in the woods in Gary, IN. We stepped up to give him a home and we had him for 6 months before our friend adopted him. Unfortunately, he lost a very quick and sudden battle with an aggressive lymphoma and his parents had to put him down just a week ago Sunday. He was only 4 and I have been devistated over it. He didn’t deserve to go like he did. But with everything he went through, I’m glad his last couple years were filled with love and fun. His parents spoiled him and loved him like none other I’ve ever seen before. Cinco was made for his parents. It’s such a shame that a bond like that was cut short.
Fun! Beautiful! Engaging! Love! Thank you, Kris and happy healing, everyone!
You’re such a great mentor for us! Thank you for your love lessons – I’m sharing your crazy sexy diet with everyone of my family and friends – hugs to your furry friends xoxo
Great question…who is adopting whom? They are amazing healers and lovers 🙂
I love this video, Kris! Thanks from my heart for sharing. I myself adopted a Chihuahua puppy, Philine, who had water on her lungs & was supposed to be put to sleep. Well, today she is 8 years old, super healthy & silly as can be. I am so deeply grateful for my furry soul sister, as she was one of my main guides on my spiritual journey, re-connecting me with nature. I owe her the world. And yep, an entire chapter of my soon to be published book belongs to Philine, my personal guru. I am so looking forward to be working with you soon, Kris – right after B-School is done ;))
Love, hugs & unicorns… <3
Kris,
Watching your segment brought (good) tears to my eyes. I just adopted a rescue dog to add to my pair of mini doxies and love him. Winston never leaves my side. The part in your video where you talked about giving yourself time to heal and boundaries hit home and was just what I needed to hear today. I have been dealing with chronic migraine for a year and half now and am frustrated I am not improving more quickly. I want to be healed and move on with my life which now has been quite limited. Your reminder that everything has its seasons and to allow myself time to heal helped. I need to be a little more patient even though I am sick of being a patient!
I loved watching the video with Buddy and Lola. Six years ago when my husband and I were volunteering at an animal sanctuary in NY state we showed up to volunteer one day and found that they had closed down a puppy mill in Virginia bringing back over 200 dogs and puppies, some moms giving birth on the way up. One of the employees of the sanctuary pointed us in the direction of a blind pug puppy. She was hoping that we would consider adopting him because we have experience with blind cats. When we went to see him he was in a cage with a chihuahua puppy the same age and we decided that we would adopt them together since they were already bonded. We named the pug Harley and the chihuahua Albie (after a little goat at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary that we love). Harley turned out to have more issues than just blindness. First we took him to a specialist in the hopes that maybe his eyesight could be restored. We learned that there were so many problems, he didn’t even have optic nerves. Over time we learned that Harley also had structural problems (one example being that his jaw did not fuse and his tongue only comes out one side making eating a long, messy process) and neurological problems compared to autism in humans. We are so thankful that we adopted Harley and Albie together. They are the best of friends and Albie understands Harley and his issues completely. Harley is a perfect example of why puppies should never, ever be purchased from pet stores. There are so many wonderful dogs and cats needing loving homes, I hope that one day pets stores and thereby puppy mills will be a thing of the past. Kris, thank you so much for being a spokesperson for all the animals. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing Edie!
This is an awesome PSA for the animals Kris. Adoption is a two way street with animals teaching us lessons we never expected. 7 years ago we adopted a sick lab, Vegas, who was a mess of allergies and thyroid problems. My quest to help him heal demonstrated to me the powerful impact nutrition and a holistic approach to health can have on all of us. I learned so many lessons that led me to your book and this website when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. I am so grateful to my Vegas for opening my eyes to the power of nutrition and holistic healthcare and to you for leading me through my cancer journey. You are an inspiration. Thank you!
Really heartwarming post Kris, thanks so much for sharing xxx
Love love love your adoption story Kris!!! We have three doxies… Little Bit (the little black mini doxie) adopted us! She kept escaping from her owner’s home and would come to our home and wait at the front door until I picked her up… She was cold, wet from rain, and I opened the door and thought Santa had given me a little mini dachshund… We found the owner and she came back three more times and we finally asked the owner if we could have her and he said yes (he was going through a divorce)… We then found our special child Digger who we were told is a mini, but he is a full size double dapple dachshund. He is blind in one eye and doesn’t hear well. My third is a hyperactive mischievous mini doxie named Buster who I just adore. Last Christmas I went to Petsmart and the animal adoption center (BARC) had just brought in a beautiful long haired doxie because his elderly owner could no longer care for him. He was matted and just a mess… I grabbed him and brought him home and he was welcomed by his little siblings without reservation.. I rescued him a second time today after he fell in the pool this morning (he always sits waaayyyy to close to the pool) I knew it would happen eventually… So.. now I’m his hero AGAIN! Yay!!!! Love my little ones… BTW… I have a son who was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was three… he is now 31 years old… he is disabled and cannot work or drive… but he is alive and probably one of the happiest people you will ever meet… Cause… we are a happy family!
I love your fur babies. We have a cat that just came into our yard and we got her tamed where she is now our fur baby but lives outside. She loves the outdoors and does spend time with us inside or outside. I love just hearing her purr. 🙂 I love dogs as well both are great and we say spade your pet too. I hate seeing pets without an home or someone to love them.
Thanks for also saying that let your self heal and dont rush it and dont make your self wrong. I am doing some holistic detox to get my gut healed. My doctor is great and he knows his stuff . I just feel like hell sometimes and I forget to be with it and just support my body in what it is doing to heal. Thank you