Heads Up!

It’s time to change a pet’s life!

Mark your calendars: January 24 is National Change a Pet’s Life Day. But if you’re like me, you don’t need a calendar to remind you to help homeless animals. In fact, I bet a day rarely goes by when you’re not doing something, big or small, to improve their lives. Maybe it’s signing a petition, volunteering, or encouraging everyone to “adopt, don’t shop.” I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to make a difference, including a recent chance to change the life of a lovely Siamese kitty named Willow Rose.

In early December, my Florida rescue partner and friend, Gretchen Byrne @bocaratona, asked me to help with a horrifying situation. Gretchen is a cop well known for her feline rescue work. She often encounters some really terrible stuff in the line of duty, but this one shocked even Gretchen.

In fact, what happened was so upsetting that I prefer not to go into the details. Just know that this five-year-old kitty witnessed a very distressing scene of domestic violence. Unsurprisingly, she arrived in my program in shock. At first, she hid and refused to eat, but within a few days, she was purring, enjoying head snuggles, and eating. I was so moved by her resilience and willingness to begin again. Then, in no time at all, she went to her new home with a compassionate adopter, where she is settling in beautifully. Gosh, I’m so honored to have helped change this brave girl’s life.

As a purebred Seal Point Siamese, Willow Rose reminded me that there are many fancy-breed cats with fosters, in shelters, and with breed-specific rescue groups, all looking for homes. Like all homeless pets, they deserve the best that life has to offer. So if you want a particular breed of pet, please don’t shop! Instead, check out your local rescue resources — because with shelters bursting at the seams and animals facing euthanasia every day, I don’t think any cat or dog needs to be bred.

In fact, in some parts of the world, there’s a movement to ban certain breeds for humane reasons. I just read that, effective January 1 this year, the Netherlands has banned the breeding, sale, and import of Scottish Fold and Sphinx cats, due to severe genetic health problems linked to their distinctive traits. Breeding Scottish Folds for those curled ears damages cartilage throughout their bodies, leading to extreme and painful arthritis. Likewise, hairless Sphynx cats suffer high rates of heart disease, shortening their lifespans.

Existing cats are exempt from this new law, of course, and I recognize that some might think it’s controversial. But from firsthand experience, I can say that some breeds suffer because of what we consider cute, and it’s so unfair. As you might know, the first pet Howard and I shared was an English Bulldog named Bianca, and we absolutely adored her for nearly 10 years. She was a delight in every way, but she came with many health issues that were painful to witness. Her death in 2012 motivated me to do more for all animals, and that’s when my feline foster program really took off.

At the moment, two of our resident cats are purebred British Shorthairs. But when people ask me about their breed, I answer, “Their breed is Rescue!”

Helen Rose, who is the product of irresponsible breeding, joined our family five years ago. Her breeder sold her mother without telling the buyer she was pregnant. Her mother nearly died giving birth to five kittens, and there were complications. In fact, one of Helen Rose’s brothers didn’t make it. When the buyer called the breeder for help, the breeder hung up on her! Horrible! I agreed to take the kittens into my program. Their 24/7 care — just to keep them alive — cost more than $40,000. But I was glad to do it and so happy to find good homes for Helen’s four remaining littermates.

Our other British Shorthair is Cocomelon. When she was just a tiny kitten, she suffered a severe spinal injury that paralyzed her left rear leg. As a result, she can’t urinate on her own and needs her bladder expressed three times daily. Deciding she had no market value, her breeder took her to a vet to be euthanized; luckily, the vet called me instead. So, Cocomelon’s breed is “Special-Needs Rescue,” and she brings so much joy to our lives every single day.

Cocomelon when she came to me, and today,
healed, loved, and imperfectly perfect.

I’ve had several purebred cats in my program recently, besides Willow Rose. Three British Shorthairs and two beautiful Persians, Homer and Hattie, who were recently adopted.

I love all breeds, but above all, I love the ones we call Mutt-i-grees^® at North Shore Animal League America. This is such a fun word for mixed breeds — canine and feline — giving them a distinction all their own. Plus, we always have purebred dogs ready for adoption at our shelter, many rescued from the cruelty of commercial breeding facilities, aka “puppy mills.”

Hattie and Homer on their way to a wonderful new home.

Homer and Hattie are a great example of one of my very favorite kinds of adoption: the double adoption. Most people who adopt doubles understand how great it is to have two. I mean, what’s one more poop in the litterbox each day? And you never have to feel guilty about being gone all day, as they have each other. I personally prefer double adoptions, or at least sending a single animal to a family that already has another animal, so they have companionship.

Of course, there are many cats who insist on being the only kitty in a home, and others who are clearly bonded. Spending time and observing my fosters usually makes it apparent which is which. It’s actually quite easy to determine. Eloise and Darla (left), for example, ate together, often slept together, and played together. It was very obvious they needed to be #togetherforever.

Right now, there are two Mutt-i-gree doubles waiting for you at our Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center on Long Island. Just think how wonderful it would be to change the lives of two sweet kitties who were meant for each other.

Meet Tilly & Tammy (Adopt #H212144 & H212145)

“Our commitment to bonded sisters Tilly and Tammy began when they arrived as fearful older kittens who needed patience as they acclimated to a very different life from the one they were rescued from. We invested a lot of time and love in this lovely pair and were elated when they found a home suited to their needs. Sadly, their devoted owner passed away, and they are in need of our care once again. Tilly and Tammy have known more upheaval than peace in their lives, yet through everything they’ve endured, their support for each other and the love of those who care for them have yielded an unending hopefulness that they can find that special place called home once again. It’s easy to be their hero: offer them a quiet home with older children, patience to learn about your lifestyle, and treats to seal the deal, and you’ll find Tilly and Tammy very open to a lifelong relationship with you!”

Meet Ricardo & Rodrigo (Adopt #H212332 & H212333)

“Locally rescued brothers Ricardo and Rodrigo have come to depend upon each other when facing new situations. Rodrigo has emerged to be a welcoming friend to all he greets, with fun energy that we all find irresistible. His shyer brother looks to him to build his confidence when facing new situations. A quiet, predictable home, with older children, is going to present him an easier terrain to navigate than what was experienced in the past. Given the opportunity, these boys are open to collecting treats and chasing wand toys which often leads to them abandoning doubts and fully enjoying playtime with friends—both feline and human. Ricardo’s wide eyes are imploring you to give them a chance, and Rodrigo is all the encouragement you need to know these boys are the ones for you!”

Wishing you a happy 2026 filled with 365 ways to change a pet’s life!

xo
Beth

P.S. Final countdown to the Great American Rescue Bowl 2026.
Join me on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, at 12 PM ET/11 AM CT, for the super-cutest bowl game of the year. I am so excited to host this adorable, goofy, lifesaving event. The best part is knowing that every dog, cat, puppy, and kitten participant has found a loving home. Plus, Animal League America coordinates with our shelter partners across the country, sponsoring Rescue Bowl adoption events to find homes for even more furry athletes. Working with my partners at NSALA and the wonderful people at Great American Family network makes this one of the highlights of my year. It’s the best game in town. Why? Because every player is a Most Valuable Pet! Don’t miss it. Where to Watch: Great American Family, GFam+, and Great American Pure Flix (streaming). Here’s a special, behind-the-scenes preview of all the fun and games!!