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 love this I am so grateful you shared this. I have been in your community and am a survivor of cervical cancer and also completely dedicated to creating a No-Kill Nation for shelter animals. I donate proceeds from my book sales to help animal rescue I have an online radio show and I would love for you to be a guest. I would also love to be a guest blogger on your blog to share this message of hope. I truly believe as a dog trainer that dogs are our greatest spiritual teachers. I train animals that have been abused and I am a survivor of domestic abuse and connect with animals to help share their message with the world. WHAT IF every human on the planet got these lessons the animals teach us to be unconditional, forgiving, live in the moment and just spread joy. I live my life this way and I am so GRATEFUL you do too. Let’s work together and accomplish twice as much I have a wonderful community of followers that can be a new audience for you and I would love you to be a guest blogger on my blog. I am creating a Google Hangout to share spiritual life lessons learned from our pets. I would love you to be a part of this too. My facebook is http://www.facebook.com/puppyloverevolution I have a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing environmental education, animal advocacy, mindfulness, and compassion to public schools as part of curriculum. My second book is “The Secret to Puppy Love” A spiritual Approach to dog training and life. I look forward to hearing from you soon so we can do great things together to help lots of animals and children. Blessings to you and yours!!!!!
This is a wonderful video! I currently have two rescue dogs, one of whom looks like a mini-Buddy! When he’s not chewing on a shoe, he brings much happiness to my life. Wish I could have more, although I do help a rescue group, and have saved 8 dogs over the past year.
You’re an inspiration of goodness and love. Thanks for sharing this – I needed a smile today.
Dear Kris,
I was so blessed to meet you when I attended the I can do it seminar in San Jose. Without me telling you anymore than what I’m going through, stage 4 lung canSer, you wanted me to have the name of Dr. Keith Block. I just completed day 1 of my treatment with the Block Center. I feel as though I owe my health and my life to you! Thank you from every healthy cell in my body. You will always be at the very top of my hero list. You rock, crazy sexy girl!
Love,
DJ.
Fellow Crazy Sexy Survivor
What an awesome video! My adoption story features my beautiful shelter-kitty Abigail.
At the beginning of the year my partner and I moved from the city to a country town – and this meant we could finally have a pet! So we went to the local shelter to find a little soul, and I was drawn to the adult cats. The kittens were very cute but most of them are adopted- here in Australia 80% of adult cats in shelters are euthanised. I’ve never had a cat and was a little shy of them, but Abigail came straight up and smooched me. She wasn’t the prettiest kitty there, but she was so sweet and kept smooching me ’til we left with her!
When we were doing the paperwork we were told that she was 5 and had been surrendered because her owner had died. It was the day before our 5th anniversary – so we took it as a sign that she was meant for us 🙂
She is such a wonderful addition to our family – she makes our house a home! And her original owner must have treated her very well – she is perfectly behaved, nothing has been destroyed, she just wants to snuggle and follow us around. I don’t think I would have known how to raise a kitten this well and we’ve given a little soul a home 🙂
Hi Kris,
I just love you!! Thank you for helping the cats and dogs…all the sentient beings need us more than
ever! Let’s definitely spay and neuter and stop the overbreeding of all animals, including horses.
Thank you for all you do to bring awareness to their plight!
The university where I work has a large wooded area and people will dump unwanted animals. Because of this, we have a large feral cat community. We were able to successfully do a spay and release program! Several kittens had gotten away from thier mother and fell down an air conditioning shaft. We were able to rescue them and I fostered them until they were old enough to find homes. I found homes for two but wasn’t able to find a home for the third who became my baby Elvis – a black and white lovable bundle of mischief. But I felt he needed a friend. Another one of the feral cats was very friendly and was able to be adopted. He was being fostered and I was able to take him on a trial basis to make sure they got along. They did and Max Weber became my new baby. Max is a grey long haired Maine coone. Elvis and Max quickly become as close as litter mates. It took him a little longer to warm up to me. :). But we are a happy family now. :). I’d post a picture but I can’t see how.
Hi Kris,
Love LOVE your video PSA on pet adoption! I hope that it encourages others to rescue animals in need of loving forever homes. We rescued Lyla (or actually she rescued me), formally known as Marlie, from a family breeding her for boxer puppies. She was so small and fragile but ridiculously sweet. The first time we saw her face we were smitten.
When we the adoption took place and we brought her home, we knew there would be an adjustment period since we were her 3rd home. You can’t explain to your new fur children what had happened with the original family, but she felt like she had to be on her best behavior. The first night I fed her, she made a huge mess with her food all over the floor. I walked in the room, looked at the crime scene and told her “I’m not the maid around her, you need to clean up this mess.” I swear, she licked the floor clean! I was in absolute shock but then decided perhaps I could get her to wash dishes too (just kidding).
I quickly realized that Lyla must have lived in a remote area because large trucks and fire engines were new to her. She didn’t even bark for the first month we had her, probably wanting to stay on her best behavior. I quickly realized it was important for me to learn more about animal behavior and took her to a trainer for 2 weeks. Sharon the trainer taught me how to read her body language and how she behaved in a pact. This is valuable information for any new parent. Now when I take her to the animal park and she goes into Alpha mode, I know she is not “aggressive” but trying to keep order in the pact. It’s a lot of work for an animal to be Alpha (like a CEO trying to keep order with the staff) and I am able to tell when she has had enough of her job and ready to go home. It took years for our cat Shorty to warm up to his sister, but now they curl up together and sleep. It just warms my heart each morning to see the two of them snuggling…
Like you, we do not have 2-legged children but our fur babies are absolutely spoiled rotten, in a good way. They both continue to teach us valuable life lessons. How valuable it is to take time out of the day for play (free therapy), eating at regular times (this is such a great lesson for everyone), and of course, unconditional love. They are magical and loving, our world tends to revolve around them. And I wouldn’t change that at all!
I hope others will realize the energetic shift that takes place when you rescue an animal. We love that we have given Lyla a better home than she had previously. I know she recognizes that she lives the good life and truly is the BEST doggie ever.
Thank you for encouraging other to follow in your footsteps and stressing the health benefits you receive from having pets as a valuable part of the family!
Lyla and Shorty are on my instagram page @ newtrition.
Blessings of continued optimal health & abundant joy… Jennifer
This warms my heart! <3 I rescued my first shelter pup Sophie 20 years and haven't looked back since. She inspired me to volunteer and foster, and after her transition, I left my corporate job and created a pet business after her called Luxepets, creating inspired products for people and their furry family members. I am passionate about being a bridge for people and their pets. Thank you for being huge a huge advocate on behalf of the animals and the tremendous healing that can take place. Buddy is living proof! woof woof!
You are AWESOME. Simple as that…and so are your babies 🙂
Love love love your dogs! My rescue kitties agree – having a furry friend is good for your health and happiness!
Kris,
You are such a beautiful person, inside and out! Your LOVE for animals is such a light for these innocent babies! I have heard you speak in person about your “kids” and all I can think about is that your cancer will not grow in such LOVE! Thank you for YOU!
Hi Kris, Lola and Buddy! Have to say I love, love, love the way Buddy runs! He is jubilant! And they both look so healthy and happy!!! Beautiful fur kids! I have always had shelter adopted or rescued pets. My current beloved, Georgia was at the Manhattan ACC. She and her 5 puppies were picked up by animal control in Nov. (brand new babies outside in the freezing temps) as strays. A rescue group pulled them to save them from euthanasia. Puppies grew up and all 5 were adopted! Yay! Casey (her rescue moniker) was left behind. I saw a picture of her and the pups on my FB feed early on. At that time my beloved Jack, was still living. I showed her to him and said ” if we had $300. burning a hole in my pocket (the deposit my building charges for each pet) I would go get her in a hot minute!” Sadly, 3 weeks later my 12 year old Jackson Brownie had a stroke due to complications of congestive heart failure. I was devastated! I wasn’t really ready to adopt but was looking at the adoptable dogs at the New Haven animal shelter. Their adoptable pets are posted on Petfinder.com. So while I was there I did a search and guess who came up? Georgie! What are the odds? So, I called and headed down to the Bronx and the rest is history! I miss Jack every day but I know he would have wanted me to save another life. Georgie was a hot mess when she came to me but today, over a year later she is a very healthy, happy and spayed little girl! I would love to post her picture but I can’t figure out how… Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to talk about my girl, Georgie. And thanks for bringing up the need to spay and neuter pets. It’s the only way we are going to stop the needless killing of companion animals! That and shutting down puppy mills and backyard breeders! And for every thing you do for every one, I thank you!
Love the outreach and adoption support! We have a shelter dog, an 80 retriever mix who is the LOVE OF OUR LIVES! Thank you for supporting these great teachers!
PS. I live in San Diego County near a store which features your cookbook (where I got it) called BEAMING. I keep hoping you will make a guest appearance. This store and your book have changed my life – the way I eat, juice, approach many things. Please keep up all the wonderful work you are doing and think about coming to SoCal!
Best!
I found your video on a day I needed some love in my life…and even though I’m not in a position to take in a baby I took joy from this story….thank you
Kris, You are such an inspiration from your non-preachy and inviting approach to a healthy lifestyle to your quirky, honest and radiant personality to your love of animals and advocacy of adoption. As a Health Coach, you are a paradigm of the kind of Healthy Lifestyle Expert I strive to be 🙂 But about those yummy animals!
Your fur-babies are so adorable and seeing ya’ll play brought tears of joy to my eyes. I have rescue cats. Two of them came from People for Animals, a foster group in Northwest NJ. Coco, my first born, chose me 10 years ago. Why at 2 yrs old was I his 4th home, I cannot tell you. He’s a precious white, blue-eyed beauty with hearing, is very squeaky, plays volleyball and has splayed feet that makes him look like a rabbit when he hops (and 6 feet high at that!). He’s delicious and my heart explodes with rainbows and sparkles when I see him. His brother, Griffin, was adopted 4 months later at 8 mos old and is a big, strong, Mama’s boy. Or, the “boyfriend cat” as we like to call him. He also drags toys to me to play with (fishing pole or black shoelace are faves). When I moved to Los Angeles 6 years ago, of course my boys came with me. It was a traumatic experience going through security at Newark airport, and people wondered why I bothered? Seriously?!? Well, my now California cats LOVE being able to roll around on our terrace and bask in the sun. It makes me so happy to be able to provide that experience for them.
In 2011, the financial and housing crisis caused too many people to lose their homes and give up their pets–especially the seniors. This had me in tears every single day. Although we had our own financial crisis and had two cats and a 1 bedroom apartment that I now shared with my boyfriend, I knew I had to do something. I reached out to Cat Connection and found a sweet 10 yr. old “talkative” Tiffany (who looked like a cross between my boys), affectionately called by us “Squish-O.” My boys had been together for 8 years and I added a senior girl to our tiny home. But, I felt that my family was now complete (and there was officially no more room on the bed). Tiffany actually would park herself between our pillows 🙂
Unfortunately, Tiffany developed labored breathing and on Christmas Eve 2012, Tiffany’s lab results indicated carcinoma. Despite taking her to 5 doctors and round the clock TLC, Tiffany’s cancer progressed too quickly and she passed away on Jan. 11, 2013. She was ours for only 1.5 years but we loved her like she was our little baby. In fact, we have a digital photo frame displaying Tiffany Squish in all her glory. I do not regret rescuing a senior cat because I know we gave her the best year and a half of her life. She grew younger and became such an amazing purrsonality the longer she was with us. It was tragic and I miss her dearly. We will likely rescue another senior girl as soon as we get into a little bit of a bigger home. Great tip about the Adopt-a-Pet widget, I will add! Thanks for reading and rocking so hard!! Love your work!! 🙂
Kris – you’re the best. I so enjoyed hearing you talk from the heart with your babies sitting next to you. I made my husband watch it too. Both our animals came off the streets. Rico we found in Puerto Rico while on vacation and Maddie the cat was a stray in my neighborhood. I couldn’t get more lovin anywhere else. I’ve read all your books. Keep it coming!!
Thanks, Kris. (good Mama)
Thanks, Lola. (good sister)
Thanks, Buddy! (good family find, Buddy)
be well, one and All
(-;
We adopted our sweet pug Elsa when her previous owner passed away. I had always wanted a puppy, so I didn’t want her in the beginning. But the moment I saw her, my heart melted and I knew we were meant for each other! Elsa was already 5 years old when we got her, and it has been difficult having to take her to various vet visits and to get her health back on track (she wasn’t treated all that well before), but like Buddy, she’s been such a great teacher. She’s taught me how to love with my whole heart, to relax, the importance of taking care of myself, and to find joy every day. And here’s a pic of my little Elsa, taken just a couple of days ago: https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/10171221_10151898812470876_1576118879_n.jpg
I love you Kris Carr for so many reasons!!!
My hubby and I believe in giving our pets the best and boy oh boy I can see you are an angel on earth with the love and care you give!! One day on a very hot day 8yrs ago, my husband found a cat who was so very skinny – better yet, she found him through our now past on Emmie the cat who was sitting in the window. This little cat was given food and water and figured she would move on since she probably was owned by some other folks but she decided to put down her roots with our home – so we kept her and a few weeks later, the little lady started to show more was on the way!! No owners ever showed up, the shelters would have put her down at this time, so we kept her – 5 babies later (born by our bedside) we kept all of them indoors – we shudder to see how many cats are let out and wind up dead! We do not even know what life could have been without Emmie, Mama and her 5 babies. So we completely support your vision of taking pets from shelters and giving them the chance for a better life with more love than they can handle!! Good Job Kris!!!!! God Bless!!