An Angel for Animals Award is on its way from PETA to Mariah Carey, who produced, narrated, and provided the music for All I Want for Christmas Is You, the new animated film that tells the story of a young girl and the homeless mutt who fulfills her Christmas wish.
While Mariah and her puppy Jack struggle at first, she soon learns to treat him with patience and understanding.
“Mariah Carey is PETA’s hero for homeless animals for encouraging families to adopt from their local shelter,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “Her holiday film reminds us all that caring for an animal is a responsibility, not just a fantasy — but the one sweet day when you meet the dog who will always be your baby and you know that you belong together.”
Every year, more than 6 million dogs and cats end up in U.S. animal shelters, and half of them have to be euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them all. For every cat or dog bought from a pet store or breeder, one in a shelter loses his or her chance of finding a home — and every year after the holidays, animal shelters see a spike in homeless animals as families find themselves unable to care for the puppies and kittens that they purchased as gifts.
That’s why PETA — whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” — urges people never to buy animals from pet stores or as surprise gifts. Instead, give your loved one a gift certificate to the local animal shelter, and after the holiday commotion is over, the whole family can go together and choose a companion for life.
