November 26, 2025 • 16 mins
Maria chats with returning guest Victoria Shaffer, CEO & Founder of Pup Culture Rescue.
Based in Pasadena, Pup Culture Rescue is a female-founded non-profit who has rescued and homed over 1300 dogs!
They recently went through a challenge with distemper and parvo "the Pup-demic" as they call it, and can really use any help financially.
Click here to donate or volunteer, and follow Pup Culture Rescue on Instagram.
Based in Pasadena, Pup Culture Rescue is a female-founded non-profit who has rescued and homed over 1300 dogs!
They recently went through a challenge with distemper and parvo "the Pup-demic" as they call it, and can really use any help financially.
Click here to donate or volunteer, and follow Pup Culture Rescue on Instagram.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff, and with me is
returning guest. It is CEO and founder of Pop Culture Rescue,
Victoria Schaefer. So, Victoria, it's so great to have you
on and to talk to you again after all these years.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Oh my gosh, so much has changed.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I know, I know, and you know, I thought that
we had spoken like two years ago, and then I
looked it up. It's been four years since the last
time we chatted.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
So that's a lifetime.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I know, I know, it's like, right because like in
dog years, it's at least like.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Twenty eight years, right, yes, exactly.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So okay, So when we first spoke four years ago,
it was when your book came out, pop Culture Stories,
Tips and the Importance of Adopting a Dog, and you
also had your rescue. So, I mean, four years is
a big long time. But tell me a little bit
about a little bit about what's been going on, Like,
what's different, what's new? I mean, I know it's a lot,
(01:12):
but you have a lot going on.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, it has been crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I started a nonprofit dog rescue or years ago, right,
and four years and one month ago to be stent.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Oh wow, okay, I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And in that time.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
We have rescued over thirteen hundred dogs that have found.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Wow, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, wow, Wow, that's like a staggering you know, I
wasn't expecting that number at all.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
I mean, that's really really a big quantity of dogs. Seriously, Wow,
it is.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
It's really crazy to think about that. It's basically averaging.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
What like, I'm not very good at math, what's a
dog a day? Yeah, we've made a.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Goal for ourselves, like the first year we rescued like
three hundred dogs, and then we rescued four hundred dogs
and then five hundred dogs, and we've been sticking with
the five.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Hundred dog you know.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
That's amazing then, so, and I think that's pretty much
our capacity, about five hundred dogs a year. It's increasingly
more difficult with you know the cost of everything going
up and being able to afford a high quality of
care that we aim to give. Sure, it's very challenging.
(02:45):
And not to mention what's in the forefront right now,
is us just getting over a distempt or parvo outbreak.
It's going through LA through other shelters as well. Unfortunately,
we around the exact same time, unknowingly took in a
dog that was brewing distemper and when that was parvo
(03:10):
ended up being devastating and financially taxing, and we're just
coming back from that now. So, yeah, we lasted four
years without being hit with these awful viruses.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
But which is pretty good. I mean, that's a pretty
good I mean four years, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
And I would think, like, and not that it's to
be expected, but I feel like every rescue at some
point gets hit with it, unfortunately, just because you don't know, yea,
you know, but it's.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Like, and you know, we've we're been working very hard
on a new protocol, and even working on that and
researching and talking to our vets and talking to other
rescues experiences with it, there's still.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
No perfect protocol, is you know.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Infectious diseases and viruses are so tricky and you'll find
so many mixed experiences, and you know, they really do
sort of secretly brew within a dog's body asymptomatically for
a while and then by time you figure it out,
(04:22):
they've actually been shedding it and spreading it sure.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
I mean it's like people diseases, right, viruses just want
to stay alive so many times. I mean, it's exactly
the same unfortunately. So yeah, you know, and sadly it's
something that happens and it's out of your control. You know,
it's just something that it's not your fault. You don't know,
it just it it is. It's nature. It's like the
negative part of nature.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
I guess it is.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And it's just the it has a lot to do
with rescue in particular, and you know, not having vaccines
in their adult life and not knowing the history of
these dogs really tricky.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, for sure, No, for sure. Well, here's hoping good
days ahead. That the worst part for you guys, it's
behind you now.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
With that, I really hope so, and I hope that
you know, we don't have ever come across this again,
though I know it probably won't be the last time,
but at least we've learned a lot, and hopefully we'll
be more prepared and we have more connections this time
around to help us.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Sure, sure, I was going to say that, right, I mean,
I hope that it never happens again. But now you
are more knowledgeable about it because you know you've been
through it.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
It's like anything else in life.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, you know, yeah, yeah, it gets easier while still
dealing with very difficult things.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Sure, no, I get it. I feel for you. You know,
it's tough. It's tough. But on the flip of it,
you know, thirteen hundred dogs is pretty amazing. That's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
It's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Good.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Yeah, come with.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
A lot of war and dedication and such amazing, amazing
volunteers that we have at our rescue, our fosters, our
kennel volunteers to make that number happen.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Sure, Like, how many people do you have about helping
you out?
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I would say between fosters and volunteers, maybe fifty to sixty.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Oh that's great. Sure, no, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
We typically have around sixty dogs in our care at
a time. That can change depending on the size of
a litter of puppies. You know, if we only can
isolate and we only have so many puppy fosters. So
sometimes you know, we accept a litter with only a
few puppies, and other times the litter is thirteen and
(06:46):
that can change our number of drastically.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Yeah, but yeah, it's it's absolutely wild that this is
the life that has chosen me or I've chosen it,
and I pinched myself every day, and then I also
realized this is not normal but so fun and then
so rewarding and also just so crazy.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's probably a little bit
of both. I think you found it and it's found you,
you know, in a sense. I mean, because you love
it and you're excellent at it, and you know it
gets your passion and you're working at your passion, which
is pretty cool to do as well.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's very lucky and I'm very fortunate to be able
to do something that I'm so passionate about, you know,
with the support of my family, so.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Sure, sure, And speaking of your family, so recently, I
thought it was pretty cool that your dad with and
for those who aren't aware, but Paul Schaeffer is Victoria's dad,
but your dad and Bernie Williams donated their time to
play on stage at the Cutting Room in New York City,
which I thought that was a really cool thing, I know,
(07:56):
and then your dad made a video which I thought
was so perfect. So I hope you got some people
who bid on that and you know, and they did
it for you, which I thought was really sweet, really sweet.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
My dad has been so supportive, both my mom and
my your mom too. Yeah, yeah, oh my goodness. My
mother is like always our biggest fan. She was in
town this weekend. She stayed at an event in Venice
called Venice Fest, a big festival, the entire day, working
(08:28):
tirelessly to you know, help us get donations, spread the
word about our dogs.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I thought she would last maybe like two hours. Yeah,
he was there from nine thirty to seven.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Ah, well, that's sweet.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
So it's just a family affair.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
It is a family affair, and it's you know, it's
obvious that your parents have the same passion about doing
good deeds as you do, you know, so it's it's
very cool, and it's great that you have their support
and you know they're supporting you, and it just it's
it's like a family affair, which is really even more
special about your rescue.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
It's so sweet, and I feel very fortunate to have
their support. And you know, everyone's always surprised, like I
did not grow up with dogs, I did not grow
up among dog lovers.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So for my parents to.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Be you know, completely transformed into dog loving rescue supporting.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Sure, well, it's really amazing, it is.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
No, I think it's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I think it's really wonderful, you know, and lucky for
all of the dogs thirteen hundred who have found homes
because of you, you know, and your rescue, which is
really cool.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Thank you. You know, I really appreciate any any kind
positive words that we hear today is just pushing us
forward after this such difficult of course.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
No, of course, of course we.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Call it a pup deemic. We're calling it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Oh, that's actually very clever. I mean, it's awful, but
it's but it's very clever, a pup deemic.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah, it's very it's very reminiscent of the COVID Yes,
the pandemic. Yeah yeah, yeah, that we went through and
it's just among our dogs.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Yeah. Well let's yeah, well, let's hope that the worst
is behind you and you don't have.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
To do it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I just cannot stress enough people just to vaccinate their
dogs and save their lives, because it is.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
It's on the.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Streets of LA it's all over the place, but it's
it's everywhere.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Yeah, it's so contagious. So if everyone just keeps up
with their dogs vaccinations. It really would save save lives.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Of course, of course, you know, I mean it's something
as simple as that, you know. So yeah, I mean
I actually was going to ask you, like, what would
what's your biggest frustration or like advice to someone, and
you just gave it to me because it is.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
It's to get Yeah, yeah, it's to just be responsible
pet parents. To be committed to the dog or cat
or whatever animal that you take in your home, consider
them as a family member, get them their vaccinations, spay
and neuter them, and you know that can go a
(11:08):
very very long way.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Yeah, no, absolutely absolutely, So what I know, you're still
getting ahead of the pupdemic. But what is on the
horizon for you guys for your rescue? Do you have
any events coming up or just a day at a
time getting through this?
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, we do tons of events.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Every every weekend, really, we have an event, whether it's
just our simple open house where we open the doors
of our facility in Pasadena, four thousand.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Square foot facilities.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
It's so fun and colorful and you know, we have
a lot of.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Great times there. But then we also bump up all
over La. You know, we just did Venice Fest.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
We do a lot of puppy yoga, specifically at the
Langham Hotel at Pasadena Beautiful Full Garden that the puppies
get to run around and a yoga instructor fun teaches.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
That's always fun.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
You know. We have a few Christmas events coming up,
so everyone can follow us on Instagram at pop Culture Rescue.
That's not only where you'll see dogs that are available
for adoption first, because we always post to our community there,
but you'll also learn about the upcoming events and we
(12:29):
release a monthly calendar.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
Oh perfect, perfect pert.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Yeah, following us on Instagram is just you know, even
if you aren't local to Los Angeles, it's just the
smallest token of what you can do for our rescue.
You know, in today's day and age, brands care about followings,
and we have gotten a lot of amazing brand partnerships
and you know, donated dog food and toys and supplies
(12:58):
like that just due to are growing following.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
No, that's great.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, you have a big following on Instagram, which is
really good, and you also have your website, popculture Rescue
dot org. So correct for anyone who is listening right,
now and they want to help out, you know, especially
with the pup deemic and everything. If they want to
make a donation, is it better to go through your
website or Instagram or either or either?
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, whatever they prefer. We have ways to donate through both.
We have ways to look at adoptable dogs through both.
And yeah, just join our community in any capacity. Again,
even if you're not local to La.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
Okay, No, that's perfect.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
And I know because I was looking, you know, because
I follow you on Instagram all this time. But I
see that you have I love the fact that you
have two dogs up for adoption and they have to
be adopted as a couple.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Oh yes, they're so cute.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
They are you know, it's bonded pairs are such a
difficult thing because you know, you're like, are they bonded?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Are they would they be okay together?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Well, like maybe they would be okay together with another dog,
but oh, they really love each other.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
But you know, will we be able to find a
home And we're really.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
You know, we make that decision with a lot of
pairs that come in and want to do on their
own and Burt and cream Puffs, they just really love
each other so.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Much that would like to be able to keep them together.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Sure, and that's such a win win for anyone who
is adopting a dog and then thinks, so down the road,
I'll get another one, like no, you have to right now.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
And they get along and they love each other, so
you can't beat that.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, Yeah, so sweet cuddle, they groom each other.
They just it's like if you are considering adopting a
dog and you.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Think, you know, oh, it'd be nice.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
If I don't have to worry when I go out
that they're going to be lonely, adopted, bonded.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Exactly exactly, that's exactly right, That's what I was thinking.
It's win win because you don't have to worry about it.
You know, your dogs aren't going to have separate Your
dog won't have separation anxiety if it has its buddy
with it.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Yeah, all right, Well, Victoria, I know that you're busy.
I know you took some time out to chat again.
It's great to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Thank you for having me and for helping to spread
the word about.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Of course your rescue.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Of course.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Yeah, when we're not dealing with a popdemic, We really
do have a lot of fun and we have so
many social gatherings and our community is just incredible. They've
shown it during this time, but also just day to day,
such a fun group of people, dog lovers, rescue advocates.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
So no, that's wonderful, and I'm sure you can always
for those who are listening on the West coast, you
can always use volunteers.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Correct, Yes, absolutely, and it's not something where you have
to commit weekly like we will take people whenever they
have the availability, whenever they're feeling like they need.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
A little puppy love.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
We will absolutely welcome them with open arms to walk
some dogs, addlesome dogs and you know, help the time
go buy for these dogs who are waiting for their
families to find them.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Sure, no, that's perfect. Perfect.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So you can follow pop Culture Rescue on Instagram and
see dogs and keep up with their calendar and everything
else and make a donation. You can also go to
Popculture Rescue dot org. Victoria Schaeffer, thank you for chatting,
Thank you for all that you do. We need more
people like you in the world, and I promise we
will talk again. And it's not going to be four years,
(16:26):
all right. I want to talk to you in the
new year.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Okay, Happy New Year's, happy holidays. Thank you so much
for supporting rescue.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
Of course, thank you
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff, and with me is
returning guest. It is CEO and founder of Pop Culture Rescue,
Victoria Schaefer. So, Victoria, it's so great to have you
on and to talk to you again after all these years.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Oh my gosh, so much has changed.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I know, I know, and you know, I thought that
we had spoken like two years ago, and then I
looked it up. It's been four years since the last
time we chatted.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
So that's a lifetime.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I know, I know, it's like, right because like in
dog years, it's at least like.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Twenty eight years, right, yes, exactly.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So okay, So when we first spoke four years ago,
it was when your book came out, pop Culture Stories,
Tips and the Importance of Adopting a Dog, and you
also had your rescue. So, I mean, four years is
a big long time. But tell me a little bit
about a little bit about what's been going on, Like,
what's different, what's new? I mean, I know it's a lot,
(01:12):
but you have a lot going on.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, it has been crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I started a nonprofit dog rescue or years ago, right,
and four years and one month ago to be stent.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Oh wow, okay, I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And in that time.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
We have rescued over thirteen hundred dogs that have found.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Wow, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, wow, Wow, that's like a staggering you know, I
wasn't expecting that number at all.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
I mean, that's really really a big quantity of dogs. Seriously, Wow,
it is.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
It's really crazy to think about that. It's basically averaging.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
What like, I'm not very good at math, what's a
dog a day? Yeah, we've made a.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Goal for ourselves, like the first year we rescued like
three hundred dogs, and then we rescued four hundred dogs
and then five hundred dogs, and we've been sticking with
the five.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Hundred dog you know.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
That's amazing then, so, and I think that's pretty much
our capacity, about five hundred dogs a year. It's increasingly
more difficult with you know the cost of everything going
up and being able to afford a high quality of
care that we aim to give. Sure, it's very challenging.
(02:45):
And not to mention what's in the forefront right now,
is us just getting over a distempt or parvo outbreak.
It's going through LA through other shelters as well. Unfortunately,
we around the exact same time, unknowingly took in a
dog that was brewing distemper and when that was parvo
(03:10):
ended up being devastating and financially taxing, and we're just
coming back from that now. So, yeah, we lasted four
years without being hit with these awful viruses.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
But which is pretty good. I mean, that's a pretty
good I mean four years, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
And I would think, like, and not that it's to
be expected, but I feel like every rescue at some
point gets hit with it, unfortunately, just because you don't know, yea,
you know, but it's.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Like, and you know, we've we're been working very hard
on a new protocol, and even working on that and
researching and talking to our vets and talking to other
rescues experiences with it, there's still.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
No perfect protocol, is you know.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Infectious diseases and viruses are so tricky and you'll find
so many mixed experiences, and you know, they really do
sort of secretly brew within a dog's body asymptomatically for
a while and then by time you figure it out,
(04:22):
they've actually been shedding it and spreading it sure.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
I mean it's like people diseases, right, viruses just want
to stay alive so many times. I mean, it's exactly
the same unfortunately. So yeah, you know, and sadly it's
something that happens and it's out of your control. You know,
it's just something that it's not your fault. You don't know,
it just it it is. It's nature. It's like the
negative part of nature.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
I guess it is.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And it's just the it has a lot to do
with rescue in particular, and you know, not having vaccines
in their adult life and not knowing the history of
these dogs really tricky.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, for sure, No, for sure. Well, here's hoping good
days ahead. That the worst part for you guys, it's
behind you now.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
With that, I really hope so, and I hope that
you know, we don't have ever come across this again,
though I know it probably won't be the last time,
but at least we've learned a lot, and hopefully we'll
be more prepared and we have more connections this time
around to help us.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Sure, sure, I was going to say that, right, I mean,
I hope that it never happens again. But now you
are more knowledgeable about it because you know you've been
through it.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
It's like anything else in life.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, you know, yeah, yeah, it gets easier while still
dealing with very difficult things.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Sure, no, I get it. I feel for you. You know,
it's tough. It's tough. But on the flip of it,
you know, thirteen hundred dogs is pretty amazing. That's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
It's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Good.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Yeah, come with.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
A lot of war and dedication and such amazing, amazing
volunteers that we have at our rescue, our fosters, our
kennel volunteers to make that number happen.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Sure, Like, how many people do you have about helping
you out?
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I would say between fosters and volunteers, maybe fifty to sixty.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Oh that's great. Sure, no, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
We typically have around sixty dogs in our care at
a time. That can change depending on the size of
a litter of puppies. You know, if we only can
isolate and we only have so many puppy fosters. So
sometimes you know, we accept a litter with only a
few puppies, and other times the litter is thirteen and
(06:46):
that can change our number of drastically.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Yeah, but yeah, it's it's absolutely wild that this is
the life that has chosen me or I've chosen it,
and I pinched myself every day, and then I also
realized this is not normal but so fun and then
so rewarding and also just so crazy.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's probably a little bit
of both. I think you found it and it's found you,
you know, in a sense. I mean, because you love
it and you're excellent at it, and you know it
gets your passion and you're working at your passion, which
is pretty cool to do as well.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's very lucky and I'm very fortunate to be able
to do something that I'm so passionate about, you know,
with the support of my family, so.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Sure, sure, And speaking of your family, so recently, I
thought it was pretty cool that your dad with and
for those who aren't aware, but Paul Schaeffer is Victoria's dad,
but your dad and Bernie Williams donated their time to
play on stage at the Cutting Room in New York City,
which I thought that was a really cool thing, I know,
(07:56):
and then your dad made a video which I thought
was so perfect. So I hope you got some people
who bid on that and you know, and they did
it for you, which I thought was really sweet, really sweet.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
My dad has been so supportive, both my mom and
my your mom too. Yeah, yeah, oh my goodness. My
mother is like always our biggest fan. She was in
town this weekend. She stayed at an event in Venice
called Venice Fest, a big festival, the entire day, working
(08:28):
tirelessly to you know, help us get donations, spread the
word about our dogs.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I thought she would last maybe like two hours. Yeah,
he was there from nine thirty to seven.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Ah, well, that's sweet.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
So it's just a family affair.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
It is a family affair, and it's you know, it's
obvious that your parents have the same passion about doing
good deeds as you do, you know, so it's it's
very cool, and it's great that you have their support
and you know they're supporting you, and it just it's
it's like a family affair, which is really even more
special about your rescue.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
It's so sweet, and I feel very fortunate to have
their support. And you know, everyone's always surprised, like I
did not grow up with dogs, I did not grow
up among dog lovers.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So for my parents to.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Be you know, completely transformed into dog loving rescue supporting.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Sure, well, it's really amazing, it is.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
No, I think it's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I think it's really wonderful, you know, and lucky for
all of the dogs thirteen hundred who have found homes
because of you, you know, and your rescue, which is
really cool.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Thank you. You know, I really appreciate any any kind
positive words that we hear today is just pushing us
forward after this such difficult of course.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
No, of course, of course we.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Call it a pup deemic. We're calling it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Oh, that's actually very clever. I mean, it's awful, but
it's but it's very clever, a pup deemic.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah, it's very it's very reminiscent of the COVID Yes,
the pandemic. Yeah yeah, yeah, that we went through and
it's just among our dogs.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Yeah. Well let's yeah, well, let's hope that the worst
is behind you and you don't have.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
To do it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I just cannot stress enough people just to vaccinate their
dogs and save their lives, because it is.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
It's on the.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Streets of LA it's all over the place, but it's
it's everywhere.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Yeah, it's so contagious. So if everyone just keeps up
with their dogs vaccinations. It really would save save lives.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Of course, of course, you know, I mean it's something
as simple as that, you know. So yeah, I mean
I actually was going to ask you, like, what would
what's your biggest frustration or like advice to someone, and
you just gave it to me because it is.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
It's to get Yeah, yeah, it's to just be responsible
pet parents. To be committed to the dog or cat
or whatever animal that you take in your home, consider
them as a family member, get them their vaccinations, spay
and neuter them, and you know that can go a
(11:08):
very very long way.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Yeah, no, absolutely absolutely, So what I know, you're still
getting ahead of the pupdemic. But what is on the
horizon for you guys for your rescue? Do you have
any events coming up or just a day at a
time getting through this?
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, we do tons of events.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Every every weekend, really, we have an event, whether it's
just our simple open house where we open the doors
of our facility in Pasadena, four thousand.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Square foot facilities.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
It's so fun and colorful and you know, we have
a lot of.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Great times there. But then we also bump up all
over La. You know, we just did Venice Fest.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
We do a lot of puppy yoga, specifically at the
Langham Hotel at Pasadena Beautiful Full Garden that the puppies
get to run around and a yoga instructor fun teaches.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
That's always fun.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
You know. We have a few Christmas events coming up,
so everyone can follow us on Instagram at pop Culture Rescue.
That's not only where you'll see dogs that are available
for adoption first, because we always post to our community there,
but you'll also learn about the upcoming events and we
(12:29):
release a monthly calendar.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
Oh perfect, perfect pert.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Yeah, following us on Instagram is just you know, even
if you aren't local to Los Angeles, it's just the
smallest token of what you can do for our rescue.
You know, in today's day and age, brands care about followings,
and we have gotten a lot of amazing brand partnerships
and you know, donated dog food and toys and supplies
(12:58):
like that just due to are growing following.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
No, that's great.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, you have a big following on Instagram, which is
really good, and you also have your website, popculture Rescue
dot org. So correct for anyone who is listening right,
now and they want to help out, you know, especially
with the pup deemic and everything. If they want to
make a donation, is it better to go through your
website or Instagram or either or either?
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, whatever they prefer. We have ways to donate through both.
We have ways to look at adoptable dogs through both.
And yeah, just join our community in any capacity. Again,
even if you're not local to La.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
Okay, No, that's perfect.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
And I know because I was looking, you know, because
I follow you on Instagram all this time. But I
see that you have I love the fact that you
have two dogs up for adoption and they have to
be adopted as a couple.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Oh yes, they're so cute.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
They are you know, it's bonded pairs are such a
difficult thing because you know, you're like, are they bonded?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Are they would they be okay together?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Well, like maybe they would be okay together with another dog,
but oh, they really love each other.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
But you know, will we be able to find a
home And we're really.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
You know, we make that decision with a lot of
pairs that come in and want to do on their
own and Burt and cream Puffs, they just really love
each other so.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Much that would like to be able to keep them together.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Sure, and that's such a win win for anyone who
is adopting a dog and then thinks, so down the road,
I'll get another one, like no, you have to right now.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
And they get along and they love each other, so
you can't beat that.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, Yeah, so sweet cuddle, they groom each other.
They just it's like if you are considering adopting a
dog and you.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Think, you know, oh, it'd be nice.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
If I don't have to worry when I go out
that they're going to be lonely, adopted, bonded.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Exactly exactly, that's exactly right, That's what I was thinking.
It's win win because you don't have to worry about it.
You know, your dogs aren't going to have separate Your
dog won't have separation anxiety if it has its buddy
with it.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Yeah, all right, Well, Victoria, I know that you're busy.
I know you took some time out to chat again.
It's great to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Thank you for having me and for helping to spread
the word about.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Of course your rescue.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Of course.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Yeah, when we're not dealing with a popdemic, We really
do have a lot of fun and we have so
many social gatherings and our community is just incredible. They've
shown it during this time, but also just day to day,
such a fun group of people, dog lovers, rescue advocates.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
So no, that's wonderful, and I'm sure you can always
for those who are listening on the West coast, you
can always use volunteers.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Correct, Yes, absolutely, and it's not something where you have
to commit weekly like we will take people whenever they
have the availability, whenever they're feeling like they need.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
A little puppy love.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
We will absolutely welcome them with open arms to walk
some dogs, addlesome dogs and you know, help the time
go buy for these dogs who are waiting for their
families to find them.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Sure, no, that's perfect. Perfect.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So you can follow pop Culture Rescue on Instagram and
see dogs and keep up with their calendar and everything
else and make a donation. You can also go to
Popculture Rescue dot org. Victoria Schaeffer, thank you for chatting,
Thank you for all that you do. We need more
people like you in the world, and I promise we
will talk again. And it's not going to be four years,
(16:26):
all right. I want to talk to you in the
new year.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Okay, Happy New Year's, happy holidays. Thank you so much
for supporting rescue.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
Of course, thank you
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.