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| Carrie Underwood |
Animals have always been a part of Carrie Underwood's life.
The winner of the 2005 "American Idol" television competition grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, around cows, dogs and cats.
As she started her career as a recording artist, her travels kept her away from the farm and the family pets.
But because animals are so important to her, she forged a relationship with The HSUS. Now Carrie's best friend is ACE, an adorable pooch who's small enough to travel with her.
On her website and in other avenues, Carrie has designated The HSUS as her favorite charity, and her support has included donations, as well as a public service announcement recorded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, urging people to care about animals and to help The HSUS.
Carrie spoke about her love for animals when she was featured in our KIND News publication for elementary school children. Her message to more than a million kids was one of caring and respect for animals. She talked about her personal efforts to help stray animals: "There are so many strays around Oklahoma. I've taken in cats, had them spayed or neutered, and found homes for them."
Carrie recognizes that the stray problem is partly related to the spay/neuter issue. "A lot of people don't know how important it is to spay or neuter pets. That can cut down on the number of homeless pets." She also believes that the tragedy of so many stray pets is rooted in a lack of understanding about what it takes to make a lifetime commitment to an animal.
"Many people don't understand the responsibilities involved with getting a pet," she said. "They just see a cute puppy or kitten and get it. They don't realize that a pet is a commitment for as long as 10 or 20 years."
One HSUS program that's touched Carrie's heart is our Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Field Services program (formerly Rural Area Veterinary Services, which provides free spay/neuter and wellness visits to Native Nations and a number of impoverished communities in the United States and Central America.
Carrie continues to earn accolades and awards, including three GRAMMYs, and awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. She's also had seven consecutive #1 singles, and sold more than 10 million albums.
