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| Photos © The HSUS/Michelle Riley |
Doing Good for Animals
When Ginnifer Goodwin's beloved dog Scout died in an animal hospital accident, she was heartbroken. It made her realize that animals can't speak for themselves—they need people to speak up for them!
Ginnifer soon decided to start using her own voice to speak up for the voiceless. Last year, she spoke at The Humane Society of the United States' Taking Action for Animals conference. The event included a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. There, Ginnifer and others let lawmakers know how important it is to have strong laws that protect animals.
Look for the animal-loving actress in Ramona and Beezus, which hits movie theaters this summer. Ginnifer told us more about the movie, her feline friends, and other ways she helps all animals.
KIND News: Can you tell us about your pets?
Ginnifer Goodwin: I have two cats! Pearl is a one-year-old, spayed, white kitty I found through a rescue group. She follows her cat friend Merlin around, meowing, "Merlot!" Merlin is a neutered, three-year-old, all-black boy who purrs like a dove, plays fetch, and loves to cuddle.
I read about Merlin on an SPCA website, which had given him a long code number instead of a name. As I walked around the shelter, I saw so many black cats with numbers for names. But one cat was reaching out of his cage, kneading the air, and meowing to me. I fell in love. And don't you know, his was the number I had written down! Both of my pets make me a better person.
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| Ginnifer speaks on Capitol Hill during a Lobby Day last summer. Follow her example! Check out our Mission: Humane Action Guide to learn how to talk to your lawmakers about animal issues. |
KN: What do you do to help animals?
GG: I adopt my pets from shelters, and I am a vegetarian. I also donate to The HSUS and Farm Sanctuary; I joined their action alert newsletters and sign the petitions they email to me. I show support at events and speak to the public and government officials about making change.
KN: What are some ways kids can help?
GG: Read and learn everything you can about animals. Eat more vegetables and only adopt pets from shelters and rescue organizations. Then neuter and spay your new furry friends!
KN: Have you done any other charity work?
GG: My mother is a cancer survivor, so fundraising for cancer research and treatment is very important to me. I also donate to environmental groups and do what I can by living an earth-friendly lifestyle.
KN: Our readers will be looking for you in Ramona and Beezus this summer. Can you tell us a little about the movie and your character?
GG: The film is based on the "Ramona" book series by Beverly Cleary. My mother, who as a child read the collection, passed it along to me when I was little. The story follows young Ramona, who always means well but seems to fall into trouble wherever she goes. I play Ramona's Aunt Bea, a sort of grown-up version of Ramona. Aunt Bea is a school teacher and remembers what it was like to feel misunderstood, scared, and lonely, so she knows how to be a very good friend to Ramona.
