If you caught The Martha Stewart Show on Tuesday you saw a great segment on pet adoption and the importance of spay/neuter. Barbara Fight, a dog-loving producer at Martha and good friend, did a wonderful job showcasing some lovable animals needing homes. She asked me to provide an adoptable dog from Adopt-a-Pet.com to be at the show, so I arranged for Kiara from Coming Home Rescue to be there and I flew in to lend a hand for the day of filming.
It was a meaningful and fun-filled day, as it typically is whenever I visit Martha's show!
1 The super lovable Kiara (www.cominghomerescue.org) was selected to provide an example of black dogs and cats who tend to have a harder time in shelters as they get overlooked for adoption :(
2 Charlene and Patty, who founded Coming Home Rescue, in Rockaway, N.J., are showing Kiara around the Martha set. Theirs is just one of over 8,000 Adopt-a-Pet.com shelters out there saving lives like Kiara's!
3 Kiara winks at the camera as Martha sips coffee and gets acquainted with all the dogs in the green room.
4 Me pretending I can't recall which Emmy I won for what!
5 And the winner is.... Kiara! For super-sweet pooch in need of a loving home with her other friends at cominghomerescue.org or nationally at adoptapet.com!
6 An "Oh So Martha" picture-perfect treat presentation for the worthy critters on the show!
7 Kiara gets a last-minute brush from Charlene as we get the one-minute alert that we are needed on the set!
8 Willie worked in a last-minute belly rub before show time. He provided a great example of the many purebreds available through shelters and rescue.
9 Princess and Kiki were rescued from a neglectful home and provide an example of a bonded pair that needs a home together. These 2 Shih Tzus are at strayfromtheheart.org. Such sweeties!
10 Kiki asks, "Is it time for my close-up yet?"
11 Kiki and Princess tire of the green room. This show biz thing is hard work!
12 Me, Kiara, Patty and Charlene waiting to share Kiara with the world! Kiara insisted on modeling the adoption-supporting ADOPT collar and leash http://dailywag.marthastewart.com/2009/12/doggie-bling.html
13 Kiara and Dr. Pia Salk What, Kiara? You hope you find a great home through Martha's help? Me too!
14 Martha producer Barbara Fight, a true dog lover, gives Kiara some lovin' and briefs her on the upcoming segment. Barb is a great mama to pooch Jessie and kitty Chloe.
15 Barb, me and Kiara. 3 ladies who believe adoption is the only option!
16 Color-coordinated and determined to get homeless animals into loving homes!
17 backstage, waiting to go on the set...
18 Charlene from Coming Home Rescue waits in the wings to retrieve Kiara after her close up.
19 Barbara and Martha making some last-minute show adjustments...
20 Martha interviews Dr. Kaplan about The Toby Project while Barbara and Charlene discuss if Kiara is a good fit for Barbara's home!
21 Martha, Dr. Andrew Kaplan and Toby after discussing the importance of spaying and neutering.
Martha’s human guest was veterinarian Andrew Kaplan, who discussed his efforts to end pet overpopulation in NYC through the very worthwhile Toby Project. A mobile spay/neuter van project named after his lovable Toby -- a pooch he rescued just before Toby was to be killed due to space limitations at the NYC municipal shelter.
Dr. Andrew Kaplan and I spoke afterward about The Toby Project, and Toby was right there, weighing in on ways to save homeless animals. The project currently provides free spay/neuter services to underserved areas. It is Dr. Kaplan’s hope that it will continue to grow, ultimately providing a prototype for other cities who wish to end their pet-overpopulation problem.
Dr. Kaplan is clearly committed to doing his part. He even makes clear that “until we reach a time when we are not killing animals because the supply outweighs the demand, I am against all breeding.”
Andrew Kaplan’s mission is clear, and he might just be the guy to provide the leadership needed to make such a project successful. Check out the life-saving work he is doing in Toby’s name.
Perhaps the day will come when Dr. Kaplan's dream -- shared by Martha, me, and all of you -- becomes a reality: Our currently overflowing shelters are empty because the number of animals coming into them does not exceed the number of loving homes available. After all, doesn’t every animal deserve Toby's outcome?!
In Kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk
From: delia | 12/10/09 at 8:11 am
I pray that all of the dogs on the show end up in wonderful loving homes...Kiara, the Shih Tzu's and the rest are are adorable.
The only way we will ever end this overpopulation of unwanted pets is by "MANDATORY" spaying neutering, we will never stop having mixed breeds as that is nature...but if one is responsible for their own pet and it's breeding ability, we could help the sad situation. Stop and shut-down unregulated puppy mills...we must be accountable! if not, we are part of the problem...yes, I too would love to see empty shelters.
From: Basil | 12/10/09 at 9:43 am
Hello All,
I saw the show on Tuesday and was quite affected. Mom cries always, when she sees so many dogs need help. I know she wishes she could house a million of us. We always try in our small ways to help. Dr. Kaplan is sooooooo great for all he does, and you, Dr. Pia and Martha. A high five to all of you. Take care and have a great day.
Love & licks,
Basil
From: Kirby Bear | 12/10/09 at 10:57 am
Hello ladies, Kirby here.
I didn’t catch all of the show about the animal shelters and how they are over crowded, but I did catch the part about what Dr. Kaplan said, “until we reach a time when we are not killing animals because the supply outweighs the demand, I am against all breeding.” Just think of this ladies, if that had happened years ago, you and I would not be here to provide love for our owners. One thing is sure; all pets deserve a loving home. Too bad humans don’t feel this way. They can love one minute and hate the next. Don’t understand how that can happen, but I guess it’s because they are selfish and just want what’s best, for them, at the moment. It’s walk time now.
Catch you later, Kirby.
From: DDR & animallover jan | 12/10/09 at 11:27 pm
Hi Dr. Pia, How wonderful that you were at Martha's TV show to help with the adoptable pets. I'm sure you had fun as I know I would if I could have been there. Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to help all animals who need a home. I keep looking at my little dog and I am so happy I took him into my home. God only know what might have happened to him if I hadn't. Thanks for all you do. Jan (Dudley Do Right's Mom)
From: Edgar & Mandy's mommie, Cindy Bricker (Edgar went to Heaven on 07/30/09) | 12/11/09 at 6:31 pm
Look at Toby's little face in the very last photo, posing with daddieAndrew and Martha...it is adorable!
These behind-the-scenes photos from Tuesday's show were a lot of fun, Dr. Pia! I didn't even know you were nearby that day! The ease with and adoration for these little friends is so obvious. I am sooo glad I was raised with family pets, as, had I NOT been, I might've possibly carried a fear of or aversion to animals well into my adult life...I assure you that thankfully that isn't the case!
Thanks for all that you do to help animals in need in promoting the win/win of pet adoption for all involved.
Fondly,
=^..^=
From: Clark | 6/30/10 at 8:12 pm
Golden retrievers are the best. They are the best dogs around but theres a few tips you need to know for golden retriever adoption.