Melissa Bacelar of Wagmor Pets partnered with 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' for National Puppy Day to highlight rescue dogs.
Wagmor Pets and The Ellen DeGeneres Show partnered on Wednesday, March 23, to celebrate National Puppy Day.
The talk show host featured five dogs from the non-profit dog rescue on her show, to highlight the importance of adoption, fostering, donating, and getting puppies into loving homes.
Ellen DeGeneres has been a longtime advocate for Wagmor Pets, and even adopted her own poodle, named Mrs. Wallis Browning, from the organization in 2019 with wife Portia de Rossi.
"I met Ellen and Portia through a mutual friend when they were looking for a new dog. I worked with them and helped them find a dog that would fit into their home, their family and their lifestyle," Melissa Bacelar, founder of Wagmor Pets, tells ET.
"From that point forward, Ellen wanted to help me. When I met her and Portia, I was only rescuing five or six dogs a month. I was doing it all on my own and that’s really all I could handle. ... Ellen wanted me to rescue more dogs, and I thought, 'Yeah, maybe.' Two and a half years later and we are rescuing over 200 dogs a month, so I guess Ellen was right!" Bacelar adds.
Having the talk show host's support and guidance has meant everything to Bacelar.
"As a rescue, we are always excited when our dogs are being publicized. The more eyes we get on them, the more likely they are to get adopted," she tells ET.
"The group of dogs that Ellen picked for her show this week are both dogs that have been with us for a long time, and some that we’ve just gotten. It is exciting to watch them on national TV because it raises awareness for these individual dogs, Wagmor Pets, our mission, and all rescue dogs in general," she continues.
The dogs featured on Wednesday's show include puppies named Madrid, a 10 week-old Chihuahua Beagle mix, Bonnie and Clyde, a pair of 1and a half year-old Huskies, Skittles, a 4 month old Shepherd mix, Duck, a 7 yearold Chihuahua Spaniel mix, and Jill, a 12 week old mixed breed puppy.
"We really hope that people will see our dogs up for adoption and realize that when they are looking for a dog, whether it be now or in the future, rescue is the only way to go. There are so many amazing dogs that are looking for their forever homes, and it is always so inspiring and so exciting when a show like The Ellen DeGeneres Show puts these dogs in front of their audience," she shares.
If you can't adopt a puppy in celebration of Wednesday's holiday, Bacelar says you can still help and get involved.
"People need to really look at the fact that rescue groups all over the country are getting litters of puppies every week that need homes. This is a huge issue. One of the ways we can help stop this is by promoting spay and neuter programs. ... You can also go to our wish list and send puppy pads, puppy chews and puppy food," she notes.
Wagmor Pets has also been supported by Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Miley Cyrus, Lucy Hale, Sarah Hyland, Jenna Dewan, Chrissy Teigen and more celebrities.
The organization offers adoptions, fostering, volunteer opportunities, transportation, and fundraising. All adoptions are available on the @WagmorPets Instagram page. For more information or to donate, please visit the web site: www.wagmorpets.org
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