When Emmylou Harris, the country music superstar, adopted hurricane survivor Keeta, a mixed breed dog, the singer found a new mission: helping to set up a foundation to provide funds to the HSUS’s disaster programs.
“That’s what my passion is about these days,” the Nashville-based musician says. “Ending [the animals’] suffering and educating people about animal issues.”
To celebrate the singer’s 60th birthday on April 2, the HSUS is encouraging contributions to The Keeta Fund. All donations will assist the organization’s disaster programs for dislocated animals, including search-and-rescue operations, care at temporary shelters, or – when needed – the relocations of animals for adoption into new homes.
Harris’s philanthropy has recently taken a hands-on approach. She operates her own fostering operation for hard-to-place dogs, volunteers with her local animal shelter, and conceived, planned, and headlined a Nashville benefit concert on behalf of the local Humane Association.
“Animals can teach us how to be better human beings,” Harris says. “They’ve certainly taught me that.”
Contributions to The Keeta Fund can be made at www.hsus.org/keetafund from now until the end of April.