Jennifer Aniston, a devoted pet parent to two dogs herself, has taken on a new challenge in the wake of the destructive wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles: helping the abandoned and injured animals left behind. Posting a PSA to help pets affected by the California fires, a source exclusively tells Life & Style she’s taken it upon herself to spread that message within the Hollywood community and make it her raison d’être for many years to come.
“Jennifer is so passionate about animal rescue, and not just in crisis times, she’s been donating her money and time for years to different rescue groups,” says the insider. “She’s also adopted all of her dogs, so it is something she takes very personally.”
“She isn’t judgmental about it when she meets people that get their dogs from breeders, she understands that not everyone has her same point of view, but she certainly makes a point to try and educate those people and change their minds.”
After the wildfires destroyed thousands of homes earlier in January, Jen took to Instagram to advise anyone still in the area on how to care for abandoned, injured or lost pets amid the destruction. In areas particularly hard hit, like Malibu and Altadena, people also keep livestock such as horses, chickens and goats, which are often forgotten about, but they can also be brought to specific shelters she listed.
Jen also advised people to leave bowls of water out if possible, as strays fleeing the fires may be wandering outside of their neighbors and are often thirsty and hungry, and sometimes injured.
If you’re near the Palisades fires please be mindful that wild animals are fleeing the flames and may show up in your yards,” The Morning Show star wrote on Instagram. “The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection advises bringing your pets indoors at night to give wildlife a safe path to pass through,” she continued. “Consider leaving out buckets of water for these animals – they are scared, exhausted, and may have lost their homes. A little kindness can help them recover and survive.”
Jen’s home remained safe from the fires, but her message showed she “is very charitable.” The actress also “donates huge amounts of money to all sorts of causes, but animal welfare is her biggest focus.”
Obviously, the human toll of the natural disaster afflicting Southern California is a horrible tragedy, but Jen believes someone needs to also bring up what people can do to help animals in this situation, which is part of a broader concern of hers for abandoned furry pals.
“She’s on this public campaign to promote pet adoption, that’s a big part of why she wanted to put out a kids’ book starring her adopted dog, Clyde. She thinks more support from other famous people would make such an impact. So, she’s talking to her famous friends like Courteney Cox and Reese Witherspoon and others to rally more support, she just really wants to spread her message about pet adoption as far as she can.”
