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 page.
For all her work on stage and display, Kristen Bell would possibly greatest be often known as the lady 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.
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It was a second Wallis Annenberg PetSpace’s Catie Voglio might relate to all too nicely. “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 checklist. 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 heart 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 heart. Located in L.A.’s Playa Vista neighborhood, the building is massive 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 therapy and care they want and a barrier free adoption course of that enables animals to rapidly discover the properties they so deserve. There can be a neighborhood house the place folks can collect and – better of all – convey their pets. The house hosts occasions like “Yappy Hours”, seminars and studying alternatives with trade consultants, musical performances and this very Friday, Sept. 29, a Stand Up for Pups Comedy Show.
That heat and welcoming feeling is one thing that additionally comes by 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 consultants discussing the indescribable bond between people and their pets. It additionally serves as an awesome likelihood to amplify the work executed 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 can be; an open and clear heart for folks and pets.
When it involves animals, many celebrities actually are – because the saying goes – identical to us and might speak advert nauseum about their furry mates. 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 actual fact her husband has delicate allergy symptoms. Still, most of the episodes strike a superb steadiness of being each enjoyable and informative.
Upcoming friends on the PetSpace podcast embody 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 supplies free veterinary care to pet house owners experiencing homelessness.
Of course, the Pet Space podcast staff has dream friends in thoughts going ahead – excessive atop the checklist are well-known animal lovers Chelsea Handler and Chris Evans.
While the PetSpace Podcast is available wherever you obtain and hearken to podcasts, you may as well be taught extra by visiting www.annenbergpetspace.org.
Even for those who’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, make sure you hearken to the PetSpace podcast or go to the house to search out your subsequent adoptable pet.
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