If you want to help dogs in need of forever homes, you could adopt one. Or you could volunteer at your local animal shelter. Or you could…serenade the fur babies seeking families? Singing for your pupper is what Broadway star Patti Murin did recently to benefit dogs hoping to be adopted in New York City. Murin, who most recently appeared onstage as Anna in a production of “Frozen”, belted out tunes on Nov. 8 at the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center as part of an adoption event.
A Growing Crisis
The adoption event, called “Rappaport to the Rescue,” took place under the Big Top in Damrosch Park. It was meant to raise awareness of the pressures animal shelters are currently under due to an increase in pet surrenders. Adoptions soared during the pandemic. However, a housing crunch – especially for pet-friendly rentals – has forced many people to turn to shelters as they are forced to give up their pets.
“Bills are mounting up and people can’t handle it. Animals that had been given a second chance are now back in the cages,” animal advocate, podcaster, and host Jill Rappaport said ahead of the event. “This event could not come at a more important time.”
Rappaport joined forces with Big Apple Circus CEO Marty LaSalle for the event. Together, they presented 45 pooches available for adoption in a Westminster-style show.
A Voice for Dogs in Need
Murin signed on to the event because she and her husband, “Chicago Med” actor Colin Donnell, are intimately familiar with the long and winding road some pups must take to find their forever homes. The power couple are the parents of a pair of former shelter dogs: Milo and Petey. Milo came to New York from the South as part of a rescue operation. Petey was a foster pup, but the couple fell in love with him and adopted him.
So when Murin sang lines like, “A friendly face, the kind of face / That melts you with a grin / The kind of eyes that welcome you / The minute you walk in / A tender glance you simply can’t refuse / At times like this a girl could use / A dog,” from the tune “Times Like This,” featured in the musical “Lucky Stiff,” she knew exactly what she was talking about.
Milo and Petey are no longer Murin and Donnell’s only babies. The couple now have a 2-year-old, Cecily, and another little girl on the way. However, they remain one big, happy family.
“They’re so good with Cecily, and in return, she’s now growing up with dogs and she knows how to treat them,” Murin told TODAY of her beloved fur angels. “Cecily knows how to play with them and how to be gentle with them. It’s great!”
Here’s hoping the event was a smashing success and 45 canines are now settling into their new homes!
