This article first appeared as a part of Jenelle Riley’s Acting Up e-newsletter – to subscribe for early content material and weekly updates on all issues performing, go to the Acting Up signup web page.
For all her work on stage and display, Kristen Bell may greatest be referred to as the girl who cried over a sloth. Back in 2012, the actor went viral with a video shot by her husband, Dax Shepard isn’t even seen interacting with the sloth – within the video it’s simply the anticipation of understanding it’s there causes her to virtually hyperventilate with euphoria.
It was a second Wallis Annenberg PetSpace’s Catie Voglio might relate to all too effectively. “I first saw the video of Kristin Bell’s reaction to the sloth, and I just knew that feeling of loving something so much, it almost hurts you,” she says.
So, when Voglio was working with a podcast staff to launch the PetSpace Podcast, Bell was one of many dream friends on the highest of her listing. It actually helped that Bell had beforehand visited and labored with Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, the place Voglio serves because the supervisor of PetSpace Corporate Partnerships & Brand Strategy.
In truth, the Podcast is produced on-site at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, a pet adoption middle which transfers in animals from overcrowded Los Angeles shelters, and makes them available for animal lovers searching for to take a pet home for retains.
Wallis Annenberg PetSpace most likely isn’t what you envision if you consider an animal rescue middle. Located in L.A.’s Playa Vista neighborhood, the building is huge and vivid and cheery. Displayed subsequent to every adoptable pet is an interactive contact display to be taught extra about their particular wants and historical past. PetSpace is the brainchild of Los Angeles philanthropist Wallis Annenberg who wished to create a vacation spot specializing in the human-animal bond – one thing she firmly believes makes the world a greater place. Annenberg additionally wished a spot the place homeless pets might obtain the remedy and care they want and a barrier free adoption course of that enables animals to rapidly discover the properties they so deserve. There can also be a neighborhood house the place folks can collect and – better of all – deliver their pets. The house hosts occasions like “Yappy Hours”, seminars and studying alternatives with business specialists, musical performances and this very Friday, Sept. 29, a Stand Up for Pups Comedy Show.
That heat and alluring feeling is one thing that additionally comes via within the PetSpace Podcast, which launched on Sept. 19 with Bell as its inaugural visitor. Hosted by Voglio, and produced by Cameron Kell and audio engineer, Roger Gomez. The bi-weekly podcast options movie star friends and animal specialists discussing the indescribable bond between people and their pets. It additionally serves as an excellent probability to amplify the work carried out at PetSpace. “A lot of times, animal welfare can be unapproachable,” admits Voglio. “People think of it as too sad or too scary, so we were trying to find a way to expand on what happens at PetSpace but also bring in personal stories about guest’s pets.” That’s precisely what Wallis Annenberg had in thoughts when she envisioned what PetSpace could be; an open and clear middle for folks and pets.
When it involves animals, many celebrities actually are – because the saying goes – similar to us and might discuss advert nauseum about their furry pals. Voglio notes, “We wanted to stay away from the uncomfortable side of things and really talk about personal stories.” Bell, for instance, talks about her lengthy historical past of fostering pets; one thing that started when she was 11 years old and continues to at the present time – regardless of the very fact her husband has delicate allergic reactions. Still, most of the episodes strike a superb steadiness of being each enjoyable and informative.
Upcoming friends on the PetSpace podcast embrace Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Federation, who spent years learning the notorious Los Angeles mountain lion P-22, and “Puppy Songs” creator Matt Hobbs, whose unbelievably catchy songs about dogs have gone viral. Also, on the lineup is Dr. Kwane Stewart, who based Project Street Vet, which offers free veterinary care to pet homeowners experiencing homelessness.
Of course, the Pet Space podcast staff has dream friends in thoughts going ahead – excessive atop the listing are well-known animal lovers Chelsea Handler and Chris Evans.
While the PetSpace Podcast is available wherever you obtain and hearken to podcasts, you can even be taught extra by visiting www.annenbergpetspace.org.
Even should you’re not trying to undertake proper now, Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is all the time searching for foster properties, volunteers to walk dogs, assist with laundry and even to assist at occasions. For now, you’ll want to hearken to the PetSpace podcast or go to the house to search out your subsequent adoptable pet.
