Shelter dogs can make people feel thrills, chills, amazement, excitement and some of the greatest joys on Earth. Just ask the animal lovers who have orchestrated a massive dog rescue event on November 8 at the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center in New York City.
As NBC’s TODAY Show reports, at the event, more than 40 adoptable dogs will be introduced and celebrated under the circus big top. They’ll even be serenaded by a Disney princess — actor Patti Murin, who starred as Anna in the Broadway production of “Frozen.”
“This is the brightest light to shine on shelter dogs who have been pushed to the wayside,” said animal advocate and TV personality Jill Rappaport, creator of the Rappaport to the Rescue podcast and host of the event. Rappaport teamed up with Big Apple Circus CEO Marty LaSalle to organize the adoption event after seeing how economic woes are prompting some people to surrender their pets to shelters.
According to TODAY, shelter animals got adopted at record numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but inflation, skyrocketing housing costs and a shortage of pet-friendly rentals are becoming increasingly challenging for many families. “Bills are mounting up and people can’t handle it. Animals that had been given a second chance are now back in the cages,” Rappaport said. “This event could not come at a more important time.”
LaSalle, a former circus performer who specialized in juggling and doing acrobatic feats with his twin brother, took over as chief executive officer of the Big Apple Circus in July. He said that in addition to spotlighting the pressures being faced by many animal shelters, he hopes the Nov. 8 event will help change people’s perceptions about the modern-day treatment of circus animals.
“There has been no use of exotic animals in decades at the Big Apple Circus,” LaSalle told TODAY. “We want to introduce kids and families to animals that do tricks in ways that are very animal welfare-focused. These animals are treated very well — they’re truly part of the family.”
Murin of “Frozen” fame said she jumped at the opportunity to sing to shelter dogs at the adoption event. Murin and her actor husband, Colin Donnell — who starred on NBC’s “Chicago Med,” where Murin also had a recurring role — have two former shelter dogs of their own: Milo and Petey. The adoption event will be attended by a multitude of local animal rescues, with their adoptable pups, of course.
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