May 17, 2018 • 25 mins
Actress, author, model, and animal lover Denise Richards joins Robin for this week's episode! Denise shares stories from her work rescuing and transporting shelter animals to no-kill sanctuaries, and Denise and Robin discuss the importance of instilling a love of animals in children. Later, Robin shares simple steps listeners can take to spread compassion and improve the lives of animals.
More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Creating a Compassionate Life on Pet Life Radio
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More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Creating a Compassionate Life on Pet Life Radio
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/loving-animals-formerly-be-humane-pet-life-radio-original--6670143/support.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk pets, Hi friends.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Welcome to Loving Animals the podcaster. We discuss everything affecting
our furry fluffy find our feathered friends. This week we're
sharing one of our favorite episodes from the archives, a
very special interview with actress, model, and animal lover Denise Richards.
Denise works to help rescue animals that would otherwise be
killed in shelters by transporting them to a noe kill sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Truly amazing work. We're so excited that we get to
hear today from Denise, So stay tuned after this quick
break and you'll be listening to Loving Animals with your
host yours truly Robin Cancer. Stay tuned.
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Speaker 5 (01:35):
Let's talk pets on Petlifradio dot com.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Welcome to Loving Animals. This is your host, Robin Ganzert
for so thrilled today to have one of my favorite
actresses on and one of my favorite animal lovers, Denise Rich. Denise,
thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 6 (02:02):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Oh, We're so thrilled to have you. I know so
many of our listeners today have seen you and all
of your wonderful work. I love you as the Bond
Girl Christmas Jones and the World Is Not Enough with
Peers Bars and I mean, that's an incredible, incredible movie.
But of course you've done so many things throughout your
career which is just so wonderful. And I just thank
(02:27):
you that so many people don't know about your love
for animals. Can you share with us when did you
fall in love with animals?
Speaker 6 (02:34):
I everick the dog little. If there was a stray
dog in the neighborhood, it would find me. I would
find the dog and other animals too. I've just I
just always have had an enormous amount of love for
animals and feel that we need to be their voice
that they're helpless, and it's our responsibility to be there
(02:56):
for them and help them and take care of them
and honor and respect them.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I think I read somewhere Denise, where when you were
growing up with your family, you'd go on camping trips
and you would see stray animals. How was that for
you to see an animal that was astray? Especially being
so young?
Speaker 6 (03:14):
It was very hard because we weren't able to take them,
you know. I would always ask my parents if we
could take the dog home that you could tell didn't
come at home anymore. And so it's hard for me.
And maybe that's part of where my as an adult
now being able to give back and help more. Growing up,
(03:35):
we always had a dog, and my mom and dad
would always rescue the dog too, usually summer situation that
was abused and neglected. But yeah, growing up and having
to wonder what's happening to that dog that would be
left behind had always I think had an effect on me.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
I bet, I bet.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
We see so much work, you know, with the animals
that are left behind, that have been abused or neglect it,
and you know it's I always remember their faces and
I always wonder how they got there, how they got
in that situation. And I'm sure you thought about that too,
and especially at a young age, it stays with us,
I think the rest of our lives.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
I think simple because I mean, obviously it's I just
love animals, and I think that growing up, and I
think that obviously had an effect on me. And now
I've done so much work with the shelters and seeing
the situation with so many animals that don't have homes.
You know, it's just something that's in me that I
(04:34):
want to be able to help and do as much
as I can and help educate other people that aren't
aware of certain situations.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Absolutely. You know, you have two beautiful daughters, Sammy and Lola,
and they're just gorgeous. By the way. Did they share
that love.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Of air Eloise? Oh well, and she's a new animal
lover too.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
All wonderful. So tell us about your girls and how
you introduce them to their first animal.
Speaker 6 (04:58):
They were born into it kids, so that's all they know.
And I'm very lucky because I suppose, you know, some
kids could still grow up with the dogs in their
home or cats or bundi or whatever they have and
not love them. But my girls are huge animal lovers
and they actively whenever I'm volunteering at the shelter various events,
(05:23):
they're they're with me helping. They want to and they
want to give back and are very compassionate towards animals
as well.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Oh that's great. Tell me how many animals do you
have right now with your precious girls at home?
Speaker 6 (05:35):
Well, right now, we're also fostering some ritters. We have
a litter that's ready to be adopted out, and we
have also two puppies. Their mom unfortunately had passed away
and so we've had to bottle feed them.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Oh wow.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
So you know what, it varies depending on who's there
that we're helping and nursing them back to help. And
you know, I have a ten of see I gravitate
towards the dogs that are seniors or need extra medical
attention or you know, have had broken various bones and
things like that, and we'll get them as much help
(06:13):
and care as I can and fix them up. But
especially the seniors I have aught spot for. There have
been situations where you know, a twenty one year old
dog or seventeen year old dog is dropped off of
a shelter, and I just can't fathom having after seventeen
years or twenty one years, that's probably the end of
their life. And so we've adopted quite a few of those,
(06:35):
and you know, and it's nice to be able to
give them as much love as possible well as long
as they're here.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
For I did not know your love for senior dogs.
I think those dogs have been oh yeah, oh so
neglected in shelters, and I do hate to think that
that's where they're going to end up and on their
final days after you know, giving us so much love
in their lives. So I so love that you do
the work with the senior dogs. Do you have a
senior dog with you right now?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
So much they are I just say, you know, have
been through so much and I just couldn't imagine that abandonment.
And a lot of people don't realize that animals do
have feelings and they give so much back to us too.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Oh boy, do they ever. Your girls are really lucky
to have you as the mother their example of someone
who loves animals so much. I mean, sow lucky. I
wish all kids were raised by parents who love animals,
because I do think having animals in our lives makes
us better humans.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
I agree. I think children, all children should be raised with.
If you're not able to have an animal in your house,
at least the awareness of an animal, because I definitely
think it makes children more compassionate and nurturing and kinder
and you know, better people for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Absolutely. So you have two puppies right now with mom's
past and you've had to bottle feed them.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Wow, yeah, those we had a bottle feed and then
we have a litter that's all good and healthy. They're
ready to be adopted at as well. But we you know,
we'd love to foster, and we have a lot of
experience with the bottle feeding. So if there's an issue
with the mom, you know, I'm gladly able to help.
Having babies, it's one them every two hours, you do.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And I don't think people realize bottle feeding it's a
lot of work. It's it's a tremendous commitment.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
Have the right temperature and that you have to wait on.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
It's a lot and people don't know that I had
to foster a litter of kittens one year and that
was that was a lot of work. I mean, you
have eight kittens right around. It's a lot to do,
I know, it is, absolutely, but.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
It's worth it when they can make it.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Yeah, when you were growing up, was there one special
dog or one special animal that really touched your heart?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Yeah, there's actually quite a few. I mean there was
this black lad that I remember so vividly on a
camping trip and he was just so sweet, such an
older lad, and that one was he was hard to
go to go and see him, you know, left behind no,
So I think he sticks out the most from when
I was a kid.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Black labs so beautiful, aren't they? And you know, I
just I see their eyes and I just, you know, think,
what are they thinking? They're so precious?
Speaker 6 (09:11):
You know, My sister is the very She doesn't do
the work that I do, and her family just now
got two dogs. Wasn't for a long time, So I
don't know what happened when we were raised in the
same household. Why why I was, you know, such an
advocate and it's taken a long time for us to
convince her to even get a dog her.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Wow, wow, but she finally got one. So is she
loving it?
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Yeah? They got she promised her two boys and they
got these two pugs and they're really cute.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Oh good, I'm so glad for her. I mean, the
whole family will love that, as you know. Oh that's wonderful. Well,
do your precious girls come up to you and ask
for something like a horse or a pony or they
do ride?
Speaker 6 (09:53):
They actually ride horses, So we have those two.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Oh my goodness, that's one.
Speaker 6 (09:58):
Yeah, they ride and they're like I said, I honestly
I would love to live on a farm one day.
I'd be so happy.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Oh my goodness. Well I've had a farm in North Carolina,
and I tell you, raising the kids near animals, there's
nothing better than that. But it sounds like there's a
lot of animals at your home right now where your
girls are really benefiting from.
Speaker 6 (10:17):
Yes, and if there aren't, we go somewhere where there is.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
That's great. That's great, you know, Denise. I know our
listeners would love to hear more about your vision for
a farm with a sanctuary, and would also love to
hear more about your work with the incredible group Best
Friends and the transport operations where we get animals out
have high care shelters into their facilities to have a
(10:43):
better chance of finding forever loving home. I'd love to
have you share those stories with our listeners right after
this brief week. Well, thank you, we'll be right back
with Denise Richards.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
We'll be right back right after these messages. Stay tuned.
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Speaker 3 (11:53):
Well, welcome back to Loving Animals and this week's episode,
We're so thrilled to have the beautiful Denise Richard with us.
And not only is Denise so beautiful, she is also
an incredible mother who inspires her girls with the love
for animals, and I just love learning more about her
precious daughters and all of the rescue work she does
(12:14):
right out of her home. Denise, welcome back, and as
we were getting ready to go for the commercial break,
you talked about your vision for having a farm and
a sanctuary for animals. Can you share but that's what
you would love to see come true.
Speaker 6 (12:28):
I would definitely love to have a sanctuary and something
that my mom and I had talked about years ago
one day wanting to have that and it would be
that's like a huge dream for me to be to
have a huge piece of property where I could be
able to have as many as I can to help
(12:49):
out and get many of them adopted out. But I
also work with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and they are
based out of Utah. They have two centers off from
Los Angeles and have been actively involved with them for
many many years. Have done their transports, which is where
we would go into the shelter and take thirty to
fifty dogs out that we're going to be deuthanized. When
(13:10):
they would be transported to each different humane societies. They'd
also be going to Utah. Many foster families would also
take some as well, and thousands have been rescued through
just Best Friends alone with doing all their transports and
taking a lot of the dogs out that would otherwise,
you know, have to be unfortunately put down.
Speaker 9 (13:31):
So I've done a lot of stuff for them, and
they also do several events a year raising awareness for
adoption and during different programs helping people to be able
to adopt their dogs and cats as well.
Speaker 6 (13:44):
But yeah, no, they've done a tremendous amount of educating
I think the raising the awareness of the problem with
so many animals that are having to be you know,
they're put down because there's just a lot of too
many that don't have homes, and so trying to encourage
people to adopt instead of shopping. So that's been a
(14:04):
big part of their campaign too, and I've had a
wonderful experience working with them and continue to do so.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
It's wonderful. I think one of their programs that I
just love is what you described the Pop My Ride program,
which I think is such a great name, which is
the dog Transport. Oh, so, talk to me about going
into the shelters and what you've seen, because I know
you've been. You spent years going into these shelters and
helping best Friends and other groups save thousands of dogs
talk to me about what you see when you go
(14:33):
into a shelter today in Los Angeles.
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Well, first, when I before I started that program, I
was helped doing stuffer events and things, and then I
had talked to them and asked them saying that I
want to really volunteer doing like the hands on and
physically helping the animals, and so they had me start
going to their transports and the very first time I went,
it was extremely hard to go. It's not in the
(14:56):
best area and it's a very intimidating environment walking in
to seeing hundreds of dogs and it was heartbreaking because
you can't take all of them out of there, and
knowing that you know many unfortunately will be put down.
So that was extremely eye opening for me. And also
it's all good to be there to help, but it's hard.
(15:17):
It's hard to see, you know, it's a lot of
the dogs that are there and the reasons why and
a lot of them are so neglected. But it's you know,
wonderful that best friends and there are other organizations and
rescue groups that also go in there and do transports
as well, go in there and help out. And we'd
get there about seven in the morning, before the shelter
at open and we're there about four hours and take
(15:38):
out the dogs, We walk them, we get them you know, water,
we get them some exercise, and then we load them
up in a very large, air conditioned vehicle where they
go on a you know, a journey and they're wherever
they're at there there until they are adopted.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So a no kill shelter, which is wonderful. Yeah, that's
fantastically So when they get pulled out, they're going to
really have a chance for forever loving home.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
Yeah, they do.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I can't imagine before the work that they do. Absolutely.
So have you actually been to their Utah facility at
best Friends.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
We're making a trip out there and taking my girls
and we're going to actually stay out there for a
few days.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Oh wonderful that does.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
Yeah, so I'm very excited.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
That's one of the best mother daughter trips I think
you can ever imagine. Is to be a few days.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Yeah, I can't wait. And they're very excited too. They've
been wanting to go for a while, so we're definitely
going to make a trip out there.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Oh, I'm so happy for you. Is that going to
be part of your summer vacation plans.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
We're trying to work it in the summer or early fall.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Oh oh wow, that's wonderful. Yeah, that's got to be
life changing for the girls, right.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
I am so proud of them. I'm so glad that
they share the love too, and how nurturing they are
and they're you know, it's nice to see that they're
very compassionate.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And you said they ride horses, tune and do they
have cats and going and running around with those dogs
your home?
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Yes, my daughter, you know, she, my one daughter, is
such a cat lover and so she's they've come and
helped me at the shelter too, even when we're not
doing a transport and they're they're cleaning the cages out
and things like that, and there's tons of kittens and cats,
and she rescued a few of the kittens and that
they are now cats. But yeah, I know they run around.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
We have a very our house is full of life.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
Well.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I read somewhere Denise, where when you remodeled your home,
that you actually created a doghouse specially made, and that
I did tell us about that special doghouse. That is
the envy of all your neighbors.
Speaker 6 (17:41):
I understand it's a thank you. It's I converted my
garage into a like a doggy staycared hotel type thing,
but I wanted it very comfortable for them, and it's
you know, it's attached to our house. It's got heating
and air and everything, and I've got some dog runs
attached to it as well. And it's just been, you know,
(18:01):
really great to have it. And it's helpful when if
some of the dogs have to have surgeries or something.
It looks like many stalls in the dog room and
they have dads and everything in there, and at night
allow of them will sleep in there, or if they're
recovering from any surgeries, they can have a quiet area
to stay.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Oh my goodness, I just think that's outstanding that you've
really built like a rehamb facility for these animals. You know,
it's like a hospital.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I think that's outstanding. It's such a devotion that you
have that you've really put into practice, And as a mom,
I have to say, I'm so just I just think
it's wonderful that you're raising your daughters with this love
for animals as being a highlight thank you.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
Like I said, I think it's important for children and
and you know, there's been a lot of studies with
kids with animals that become kinder to each other, which
is very helpful at school. So I think it's important
for all kids to be around animals.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
In fact, Denise, we created last year after celebrating one
hundred years of Kindness and be kind to Animals a Week,
which we created a way back when we launched a
new website with all sorts of wonderful teaching materials for kiddos,
and but I love it also involves an interactive pledge.
So the kids when they go on this website, they
sign a pledge of be kind to animals and all
(19:26):
areas in our lives. And I think it reminds us
that our dogs and cats are important, but also the
animals like giraffes and elephants are important, and farm animals
are important. And teaching kids just that compassion and kindness
is I think what can make a difference in society today.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
Absolutely that the pledge is.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Amazing kindness one hundred dot Organ. I'd love for your
girls to send me some feedback back after they look
at that website.
Speaker 6 (19:50):
I definitely will. I think that's great that.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You have that wonderful it's fun and I love we
even have a little coloring books but kids can download and
all sorts of fun exers sizes. One thing about chickens
that I think is just hilarious as the kids count
the chickens in the egg, so it's fun. We can't
forget the chickens, you know when we think about all, Yeah,
the work with animals, well, Denise, I have to just
ask you you first of all didn't know about your
(20:15):
love for senior dogs, so thank you for sharing that
with our listeners, and that's so important. Any thoughts for
our listeners about how they can get involved and get engaged.
I mean, you've built a doghouse that's like a hotel
for you know, animals recovering. You have such a great,
incredible rescue work that you do from transports and getting
your girls out to work in the shelters tune What
(20:35):
advice would you give for our listeners who are looking
at their own hometowns and how they can make a
difference for animals.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
I think even just checking in with your local shelter
and they have a lot of volunteer programs and being
able to you know, those the dogs that are at
the shelter, they don't get a lot of nurturing and
a lot of love. And if you can take the
time to go to rescue organizations or the shelters, if
you have any old blaskets or sheets, or towels or
(21:02):
dog food, cat food, the shelters are definitely a need
for a lot of those things. My daughter had a
birthday party in lieu of gifts, she had kids donate
stuff that she could bring to the shelter and stuff
that we think that we might throw out, you know
we don't need anymore, could be useful there. But you know,
to even walking the dogs there, helping giving them any
(21:23):
kind of love, you know, trying to help out with
any adoptions that they have. They definitely need a lot
of volunteers. So if people are wanting to do something
but not know where to start, I would call your
local shelters or any rescue organizations in your area.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
That's such good valuable advice. And you know, people they
don't think about their towels, they just clean them out
and all of that, but those are so important for shelters.
Towels and sheets and all sorts of things like that
that we just maybe toss and they could be so
helpful for animals. I love that great advice.
Speaker 6 (21:55):
Yeah, they definitely are need of many, many of those things.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
And have you ever thought about coming back to our
Hero Dog Awards. We would love to have you back
this September sixteen, actually coming back in September. Yay, I'm
so thrilled.
Speaker 6 (22:10):
No, thank you, I'm very excited.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Well what are your fondest memories of the Hero Dog
Awards because it's my favorite night every year, But what
was your memory of it?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (22:20):
Well, just to be part of the whole guy. But
first I met Betty White that night, which I was
beyond thrilled and really seeing all of the dogs that
were there, and it's actually very it's so heartwarming the
whole event. It's just a beautiful night and to see
the dogs and the people all being honored. I think
(22:40):
it's such a lovely, wonderful event.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Well, thank you, and I hope you'll bring your girls
this year and we'll definitely put them right with the
Hero Dogs.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
To older girls, Yeah, they want to go.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Oh wonderful. We'll make sure they have a spectacular time
and put you with hero dog Mango. In fact, we
love a therapy dog Mango sponsored by Chicken Suit for
the Soul last year in our therapy dog category. And
Mango has the cutest little outfits and she's in her
wheelchair and she was paralyzed, left on the side of
the road. A rescue group and shelter group took care
(23:13):
of her, and then she was adopted by a veteran
And today I just love their stories because they go
out and yeah with other wounded warriors, and this dog
in a wheelchair is able to share the message of
keeping the faith and our wounded warriors need to hear that.
Speaker 6 (23:30):
So amazing, that's so fantastic. It's really it's so heartwarming
hearing stories like that.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
And we'll have a whole other round of great stories
like Mango to celebrate with you on September sixteenth in
Beverly Hills. I'm so glad you can join us.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Yes, I'm looking forward to it. Thank you well.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Any final words of advice for our listeners about loving animals.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
I still think that if you know, try and volunteer
if you can, if you have a love for animals,
and if you have any free times, they need all
the help that they can get.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
It's wonderful. Denise, Well, thank you so.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Be their void.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
We have to be their voice, and you're a great
voice for the animals. Denise, So thank you for all
you do. And I hope you and your daughters get
out to Utah soon and enjoy that beautiful best Friend's
Animal sanctuary and it helps say thank you so much
more animals. Well, thank you for being with us friends.
I don't know about you, but I am feeling so
inspired after this episode. How incredible is it that Denise
(24:28):
is working to help animals in Harm's way, and the
way she works is doesn't still a love of animals
in her kiddos. As a mother, hearing that just so
touched my heart. Children are the future and it's so
important to raise the next generation of conservationists and animal lovers.
As you go about your week, I encourage you to
do one small act to improve the life of an animal.
Will you volunteer to shelter, become a foster parent of
(24:50):
an animal in need, or support one of your favorite
animal organizations. Whatever you choose, I hope you're out there
loving animals just as I am. See you next week.
Speaker 8 (25:00):
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Welcome to Loving Animals the podcaster. We discuss everything affecting
our furry fluffy find our feathered friends. This week we're
sharing one of our favorite episodes from the archives, a
very special interview with actress, model, and animal lover Denise Richards.
Denise works to help rescue animals that would otherwise be
killed in shelters by transporting them to a noe kill sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Truly amazing work. We're so excited that we get to
hear today from Denise, So stay tuned after this quick
break and you'll be listening to Loving Animals with your
host yours truly Robin Cancer. Stay tuned.
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Speaker 5 (01:35):
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Speaker 3 (01:48):
Welcome to Loving Animals. This is your host, Robin Ganzert
for so thrilled today to have one of my favorite
actresses on and one of my favorite animal lovers, Denise Rich. Denise,
thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 6 (02:02):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Oh, We're so thrilled to have you. I know so
many of our listeners today have seen you and all
of your wonderful work. I love you as the Bond
Girl Christmas Jones and the World Is Not Enough with
Peers Bars and I mean, that's an incredible, incredible movie.
But of course you've done so many things throughout your
career which is just so wonderful. And I just thank
(02:27):
you that so many people don't know about your love
for animals. Can you share with us when did you
fall in love with animals?
Speaker 6 (02:34):
I everick the dog little. If there was a stray
dog in the neighborhood, it would find me. I would
find the dog and other animals too. I've just I
just always have had an enormous amount of love for
animals and feel that we need to be their voice
that they're helpless, and it's our responsibility to be there
(02:56):
for them and help them and take care of them
and honor and respect them.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I think I read somewhere Denise, where when you were
growing up with your family, you'd go on camping trips
and you would see stray animals. How was that for
you to see an animal that was astray? Especially being
so young?
Speaker 6 (03:14):
It was very hard because we weren't able to take them,
you know. I would always ask my parents if we
could take the dog home that you could tell didn't
come at home anymore. And so it's hard for me.
And maybe that's part of where my as an adult
now being able to give back and help more. Growing up,
(03:35):
we always had a dog, and my mom and dad
would always rescue the dog too, usually summer situation that
was abused and neglected. But yeah, growing up and having
to wonder what's happening to that dog that would be
left behind had always I think had an effect on me.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
I bet, I bet.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
We see so much work, you know, with the animals
that are left behind, that have been abused or neglect it,
and you know it's I always remember their faces and
I always wonder how they got there, how they got
in that situation. And I'm sure you thought about that too,
and especially at a young age, it stays with us,
I think the rest of our lives.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
I think simple because I mean, obviously it's I just
love animals, and I think that growing up, and I
think that obviously had an effect on me. And now
I've done so much work with the shelters and seeing
the situation with so many animals that don't have homes.
You know, it's just something that's in me that I
(04:34):
want to be able to help and do as much
as I can and help educate other people that aren't
aware of certain situations.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Absolutely. You know, you have two beautiful daughters, Sammy and Lola,
and they're just gorgeous. By the way. Did they share
that love.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Of air Eloise? Oh well, and she's a new animal
lover too.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
All wonderful. So tell us about your girls and how
you introduce them to their first animal.
Speaker 6 (04:58):
They were born into it kids, so that's all they know.
And I'm very lucky because I suppose, you know, some
kids could still grow up with the dogs in their
home or cats or bundi or whatever they have and
not love them. But my girls are huge animal lovers
and they actively whenever I'm volunteering at the shelter various events,
(05:23):
they're they're with me helping. They want to and they
want to give back and are very compassionate towards animals
as well.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Oh that's great. Tell me how many animals do you
have right now with your precious girls at home?
Speaker 6 (05:35):
Well, right now, we're also fostering some ritters. We have
a litter that's ready to be adopted out, and we
have also two puppies. Their mom unfortunately had passed away
and so we've had to bottle feed them.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Oh wow.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
So you know what, it varies depending on who's there
that we're helping and nursing them back to help. And
you know, I have a ten of see I gravitate
towards the dogs that are seniors or need extra medical
attention or you know, have had broken various bones and
things like that, and we'll get them as much help
(06:13):
and care as I can and fix them up. But
especially the seniors I have aught spot for. There have
been situations where you know, a twenty one year old
dog or seventeen year old dog is dropped off of
a shelter, and I just can't fathom having after seventeen
years or twenty one years, that's probably the end of
their life. And so we've adopted quite a few of those,
(06:35):
and you know, and it's nice to be able to
give them as much love as possible well as long
as they're here.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
For I did not know your love for senior dogs.
I think those dogs have been oh yeah, oh so
neglected in shelters, and I do hate to think that
that's where they're going to end up and on their
final days after you know, giving us so much love
in their lives. So I so love that you do
the work with the senior dogs. Do you have a
senior dog with you right now?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
So much they are I just say, you know, have
been through so much and I just couldn't imagine that abandonment.
And a lot of people don't realize that animals do
have feelings and they give so much back to us too.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Oh boy, do they ever. Your girls are really lucky
to have you as the mother their example of someone
who loves animals so much. I mean, sow lucky. I
wish all kids were raised by parents who love animals,
because I do think having animals in our lives makes
us better humans.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
I agree. I think children, all children should be raised with.
If you're not able to have an animal in your house,
at least the awareness of an animal, because I definitely
think it makes children more compassionate and nurturing and kinder
and you know, better people for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Absolutely. So you have two puppies right now with mom's
past and you've had to bottle feed them.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Wow, yeah, those we had a bottle feed and then
we have a litter that's all good and healthy. They're
ready to be adopted at as well. But we you know,
we'd love to foster, and we have a lot of
experience with the bottle feeding. So if there's an issue
with the mom, you know, I'm gladly able to help.
Having babies, it's one them every two hours, you do.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And I don't think people realize bottle feeding it's a
lot of work. It's it's a tremendous commitment.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
Have the right temperature and that you have to wait on.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
It's a lot and people don't know that I had
to foster a litter of kittens one year and that
was that was a lot of work. I mean, you
have eight kittens right around. It's a lot to do,
I know, it is, absolutely, but.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
It's worth it when they can make it.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Yeah, when you were growing up, was there one special
dog or one special animal that really touched your heart?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Yeah, there's actually quite a few. I mean there was
this black lad that I remember so vividly on a
camping trip and he was just so sweet, such an
older lad, and that one was he was hard to
go to go and see him, you know, left behind no,
So I think he sticks out the most from when
I was a kid.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Black labs so beautiful, aren't they? And you know, I
just I see their eyes and I just, you know, think,
what are they thinking? They're so precious?
Speaker 6 (09:11):
You know, My sister is the very She doesn't do
the work that I do, and her family just now
got two dogs. Wasn't for a long time, So I
don't know what happened when we were raised in the
same household. Why why I was, you know, such an
advocate and it's taken a long time for us to
convince her to even get a dog her.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Wow, wow, but she finally got one. So is she
loving it?
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Yeah? They got she promised her two boys and they
got these two pugs and they're really cute.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Oh good, I'm so glad for her. I mean, the
whole family will love that, as you know. Oh that's wonderful. Well,
do your precious girls come up to you and ask
for something like a horse or a pony or they
do ride?
Speaker 6 (09:53):
They actually ride horses, So we have those two.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Oh my goodness, that's one.
Speaker 6 (09:58):
Yeah, they ride and they're like I said, I honestly
I would love to live on a farm one day.
I'd be so happy.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Oh my goodness. Well I've had a farm in North Carolina,
and I tell you, raising the kids near animals, there's
nothing better than that. But it sounds like there's a
lot of animals at your home right now where your
girls are really benefiting from.
Speaker 6 (10:17):
Yes, and if there aren't, we go somewhere where there is.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
That's great. That's great, you know, Denise. I know our
listeners would love to hear more about your vision for
a farm with a sanctuary, and would also love to
hear more about your work with the incredible group Best
Friends and the transport operations where we get animals out
have high care shelters into their facilities to have a
(10:43):
better chance of finding forever loving home. I'd love to
have you share those stories with our listeners right after
this brief week. Well, thank you, we'll be right back
with Denise Richards.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
We'll be right back right after these messages. Stay tuned.
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Speaker 3 (11:53):
Well, welcome back to Loving Animals and this week's episode,
We're so thrilled to have the beautiful Denise Richard with us.
And not only is Denise so beautiful, she is also
an incredible mother who inspires her girls with the love
for animals, and I just love learning more about her
precious daughters and all of the rescue work she does
(12:14):
right out of her home. Denise, welcome back, and as
we were getting ready to go for the commercial break,
you talked about your vision for having a farm and
a sanctuary for animals. Can you share but that's what
you would love to see come true.
Speaker 6 (12:28):
I would definitely love to have a sanctuary and something
that my mom and I had talked about years ago
one day wanting to have that and it would be
that's like a huge dream for me to be to
have a huge piece of property where I could be
able to have as many as I can to help
(12:49):
out and get many of them adopted out. But I
also work with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and they are
based out of Utah. They have two centers off from
Los Angeles and have been actively involved with them for
many many years. Have done their transports, which is where
we would go into the shelter and take thirty to
fifty dogs out that we're going to be deuthanized. When
(13:10):
they would be transported to each different humane societies. They'd
also be going to Utah. Many foster families would also
take some as well, and thousands have been rescued through
just Best Friends alone with doing all their transports and
taking a lot of the dogs out that would otherwise,
you know, have to be unfortunately put down.
Speaker 9 (13:31):
So I've done a lot of stuff for them, and
they also do several events a year raising awareness for
adoption and during different programs helping people to be able
to adopt their dogs and cats as well.
Speaker 6 (13:44):
But yeah, no, they've done a tremendous amount of educating
I think the raising the awareness of the problem with
so many animals that are having to be you know,
they're put down because there's just a lot of too
many that don't have homes, and so trying to encourage
people to adopt instead of shopping. So that's been a
(14:04):
big part of their campaign too, and I've had a
wonderful experience working with them and continue to do so.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
It's wonderful. I think one of their programs that I
just love is what you described the Pop My Ride program,
which I think is such a great name, which is
the dog Transport. Oh, so, talk to me about going
into the shelters and what you've seen, because I know
you've been. You spent years going into these shelters and
helping best Friends and other groups save thousands of dogs
talk to me about what you see when you go
(14:33):
into a shelter today in Los Angeles.
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Well, first, when I before I started that program, I
was helped doing stuffer events and things, and then I
had talked to them and asked them saying that I
want to really volunteer doing like the hands on and
physically helping the animals, and so they had me start
going to their transports and the very first time I went,
it was extremely hard to go. It's not in the
(14:56):
best area and it's a very intimidating environment walking in
to seeing hundreds of dogs and it was heartbreaking because
you can't take all of them out of there, and
knowing that you know many unfortunately will be put down.
So that was extremely eye opening for me. And also
it's all good to be there to help, but it's hard.
(15:17):
It's hard to see, you know, it's a lot of
the dogs that are there and the reasons why and
a lot of them are so neglected. But it's you know,
wonderful that best friends and there are other organizations and
rescue groups that also go in there and do transports
as well, go in there and help out. And we'd
get there about seven in the morning, before the shelter
at open and we're there about four hours and take
(15:38):
out the dogs, We walk them, we get them you know, water,
we get them some exercise, and then we load them
up in a very large, air conditioned vehicle where they
go on a you know, a journey and they're wherever
they're at there there until they are adopted.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So a no kill shelter, which is wonderful. Yeah, that's
fantastically So when they get pulled out, they're going to
really have a chance for forever loving home.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
Yeah, they do.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I can't imagine before the work that they do. Absolutely.
So have you actually been to their Utah facility at
best Friends.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
We're making a trip out there and taking my girls
and we're going to actually stay out there for a
few days.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Oh wonderful that does.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
Yeah, so I'm very excited.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
That's one of the best mother daughter trips I think
you can ever imagine. Is to be a few days.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Yeah, I can't wait. And they're very excited too. They've
been wanting to go for a while, so we're definitely
going to make a trip out there.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Oh, I'm so happy for you. Is that going to
be part of your summer vacation plans.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
We're trying to work it in the summer or early fall.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Oh oh wow, that's wonderful. Yeah, that's got to be
life changing for the girls, right.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
I am so proud of them. I'm so glad that
they share the love too, and how nurturing they are
and they're you know, it's nice to see that they're
very compassionate.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And you said they ride horses, tune and do they
have cats and going and running around with those dogs
your home?
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Yes, my daughter, you know, she, my one daughter, is
such a cat lover and so she's they've come and
helped me at the shelter too, even when we're not
doing a transport and they're they're cleaning the cages out
and things like that, and there's tons of kittens and cats,
and she rescued a few of the kittens and that
they are now cats. But yeah, I know they run around.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
We have a very our house is full of life.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
Well.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I read somewhere Denise, where when you remodeled your home,
that you actually created a doghouse specially made, and that
I did tell us about that special doghouse. That is
the envy of all your neighbors.
Speaker 6 (17:41):
I understand it's a thank you. It's I converted my
garage into a like a doggy staycared hotel type thing,
but I wanted it very comfortable for them, and it's
you know, it's attached to our house. It's got heating
and air and everything, and I've got some dog runs
attached to it as well. And it's just been, you know,
(18:01):
really great to have it. And it's helpful when if
some of the dogs have to have surgeries or something.
It looks like many stalls in the dog room and
they have dads and everything in there, and at night
allow of them will sleep in there, or if they're
recovering from any surgeries, they can have a quiet area
to stay.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Oh my goodness, I just think that's outstanding that you've
really built like a rehamb facility for these animals. You know,
it's like a hospital.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I think that's outstanding. It's such a devotion that you
have that you've really put into practice, And as a mom,
I have to say, I'm so just I just think
it's wonderful that you're raising your daughters with this love
for animals as being a highlight thank you.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
Like I said, I think it's important for children and
and you know, there's been a lot of studies with
kids with animals that become kinder to each other, which
is very helpful at school. So I think it's important
for all kids to be around animals.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
In fact, Denise, we created last year after celebrating one
hundred years of Kindness and be kind to Animals a Week,
which we created a way back when we launched a
new website with all sorts of wonderful teaching materials for kiddos,
and but I love it also involves an interactive pledge.
So the kids when they go on this website, they
sign a pledge of be kind to animals and all
(19:26):
areas in our lives. And I think it reminds us
that our dogs and cats are important, but also the
animals like giraffes and elephants are important, and farm animals
are important. And teaching kids just that compassion and kindness
is I think what can make a difference in society today.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
Absolutely that the pledge is.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Amazing kindness one hundred dot Organ. I'd love for your
girls to send me some feedback back after they look
at that website.
Speaker 6 (19:50):
I definitely will. I think that's great that.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You have that wonderful it's fun and I love we
even have a little coloring books but kids can download and
all sorts of fun exers sizes. One thing about chickens
that I think is just hilarious as the kids count
the chickens in the egg, so it's fun. We can't
forget the chickens, you know when we think about all, Yeah,
the work with animals, well, Denise, I have to just
ask you you first of all didn't know about your
(20:15):
love for senior dogs, so thank you for sharing that
with our listeners, and that's so important. Any thoughts for
our listeners about how they can get involved and get engaged.
I mean, you've built a doghouse that's like a hotel
for you know, animals recovering. You have such a great,
incredible rescue work that you do from transports and getting
your girls out to work in the shelters tune What
(20:35):
advice would you give for our listeners who are looking
at their own hometowns and how they can make a
difference for animals.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
I think even just checking in with your local shelter
and they have a lot of volunteer programs and being
able to you know, those the dogs that are at
the shelter, they don't get a lot of nurturing and
a lot of love. And if you can take the
time to go to rescue organizations or the shelters, if
you have any old blaskets or sheets, or towels or
(21:02):
dog food, cat food, the shelters are definitely a need
for a lot of those things. My daughter had a
birthday party in lieu of gifts, she had kids donate
stuff that she could bring to the shelter and stuff
that we think that we might throw out, you know
we don't need anymore, could be useful there. But you know,
to even walking the dogs there, helping giving them any
(21:23):
kind of love, you know, trying to help out with
any adoptions that they have. They definitely need a lot
of volunteers. So if people are wanting to do something
but not know where to start, I would call your
local shelters or any rescue organizations in your area.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
That's such good valuable advice. And you know, people they
don't think about their towels, they just clean them out
and all of that, but those are so important for shelters.
Towels and sheets and all sorts of things like that
that we just maybe toss and they could be so
helpful for animals. I love that great advice.
Speaker 6 (21:55):
Yeah, they definitely are need of many, many of those things.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
And have you ever thought about coming back to our
Hero Dog Awards. We would love to have you back
this September sixteen, actually coming back in September. Yay, I'm
so thrilled.
Speaker 6 (22:10):
No, thank you, I'm very excited.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Well what are your fondest memories of the Hero Dog
Awards because it's my favorite night every year, But what
was your memory of it?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (22:20):
Well, just to be part of the whole guy. But
first I met Betty White that night, which I was
beyond thrilled and really seeing all of the dogs that
were there, and it's actually very it's so heartwarming the
whole event. It's just a beautiful night and to see
the dogs and the people all being honored. I think
(22:40):
it's such a lovely, wonderful event.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Well, thank you, and I hope you'll bring your girls
this year and we'll definitely put them right with the
Hero Dogs.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
To older girls, Yeah, they want to go.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Oh wonderful. We'll make sure they have a spectacular time
and put you with hero dog Mango. In fact, we
love a therapy dog Mango sponsored by Chicken Suit for
the Soul last year in our therapy dog category. And
Mango has the cutest little outfits and she's in her
wheelchair and she was paralyzed, left on the side of
the road. A rescue group and shelter group took care
(23:13):
of her, and then she was adopted by a veteran
And today I just love their stories because they go
out and yeah with other wounded warriors, and this dog
in a wheelchair is able to share the message of
keeping the faith and our wounded warriors need to hear that.
Speaker 6 (23:30):
So amazing, that's so fantastic. It's really it's so heartwarming
hearing stories like that.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
And we'll have a whole other round of great stories
like Mango to celebrate with you on September sixteenth in
Beverly Hills. I'm so glad you can join us.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Yes, I'm looking forward to it. Thank you well.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Any final words of advice for our listeners about loving animals.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
I still think that if you know, try and volunteer
if you can, if you have a love for animals,
and if you have any free times, they need all
the help that they can get.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
It's wonderful. Denise, Well, thank you so.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Be their void.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
We have to be their voice, and you're a great
voice for the animals. Denise, So thank you for all
you do. And I hope you and your daughters get
out to Utah soon and enjoy that beautiful best Friend's
Animal sanctuary and it helps say thank you so much
more animals. Well, thank you for being with us friends.
I don't know about you, but I am feeling so
inspired after this episode. How incredible is it that Denise
(24:28):
is working to help animals in Harm's way, and the
way she works is doesn't still a love of animals
in her kiddos. As a mother, hearing that just so
touched my heart. Children are the future and it's so
important to raise the next generation of conservationists and animal lovers.
As you go about your week, I encourage you to
do one small act to improve the life of an animal.
Will you volunteer to shelter, become a foster parent of
(24:50):
an animal in need, or support one of your favorite
animal organizations. Whatever you choose, I hope you're out there
loving animals just as I am. See you next week.
Speaker 8 (25:00):
Talk Pets every week on demand only on petlife radio
dot com.
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