Felicity Huffman Desperate To Save Animals
When "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman isn't gossiping or chasing her sons around Wisteria Lane, she is on a mission to save orphaned animals.
More than four million orphaned dogs and cats are euthanized each year because of overcrowding in animal shelters. In an effort to save them, Huffman has teamed up with Iams Home 4 the Holidays to help find loving homes for pets in need.
The adoption program is running now and continues through Jan. 5, 2008. Iams' goal is to have a million dogs and cats adopted. Of that million, 750,000 of them would have been killed otherwise, according to Huffman.
"What is great about Iams Home 4 the Holidays, they have 3,000 shelters all across the world, even in Iraq and any participating shelter you can go on their Web site and find one that is closest to you, and not only can you adopt your best friend who is there waiting for you, but they also give you an education program," Huffman told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen.
The education program includes how to train your dog, how to pet-proof your house and how to introduce them to your children as well as the right vaccinations to give them.
Two years ago, Huffman adopted her dog, Tucker, in Los Angeles from Pet Orphans of Southern California.
The cute dogs that were shown on the Early Show set and can be adopted, were courtesy of Animal Haven in New York City.
Huffman pointed out a common misconception that shelters don't have any pure breeds.
"There are all sorts of rescue programs for pure breds. You can go online and find them everywhere," Huffman explained.
Like many animal lovers, Huffman has had a rewarding experience with Tucker, who sometimes visits the "Desperate Housewives" set and even runs through a few shots, which have to get cut.
"I think he is really grateful. He's the sweetest dog and my children are all over that dog. I mean, they have their fingers in his mouth and up his nose and dress him up with tutus. Our adopted rabbit rides on Tucker's back so he is just the most gentle loving soul," Huffman gushed.