Felicity Huffman Desperate To Save Animals

"Desperate Housewives" Star Encourages Pet Adoption Through "Iams Home 4 The Holidays"

(CBS)  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.

[lilajimok]

I agree that children should be taught to respect animals and not "annoy" them with fingers where they should not be. However, everyone and anyone, regardless of vocation, should try to help get homeless animals adopted into GOOD homes. And, of course, spayed and neutered. Yes, not a "chaining outside" type of home, but a loving one. An actor is a person, just like you or I -- with a little more TALENT -- and apparently, in this case, brains. So belittling a person to be quiet about a worthwhile issue because they are an actor, is gross stupidity! Because they are celebrities, attention is drawn to worthwhile causes. Hurrah for Felicity -- I applaud her great intentions.

[kittychick51]

Hey Tipsy, even morons like you are entitled to their seriously deranged opinions. Ms. Huffman has a right to her opinions and interests. If people would spay and neuter their pets there would not be so many animals in shelters. Also the backward dolts that just chain their dog up outside forever, yeah I would call them ethical too. They shouldn''t even own a pet. At least there are people out there trying to help this cause. Stay tipsy in CT and pass out, ok?

[tipsyinct]

"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..." Huffman, the article.

That sounds like animal abuse to me, I don''t know about anybody else.

When are these self righteous celebrities going to stop having opinions? YOU''RE ACTORS!!!! YOU ARE NOT HIGH ON THE ETHICAL TOTEM POLE!!!!!!! GO PRETEND TO BE SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT''S WHAT YOU''RE GOOD AT!!!!!