"Moore" to Mandy Than Acting and Singing

Mandy Moore is an esteemed actress and singer, but did you know that she's also an avid animal lover? We had the opportunity to catch up with Mandy, the proud owner of four rescue animals, as she helped promote animal healthcare earlier this week. She shared her thoughts on her allegiance with the ASPCA, her own pets, and her life in general.

As a pet parent, what does aligning yourself with the ASPCA and taking the PetArmor™ Protection Pledge mean to you on a personal level?

Mandy Moore: Well, I think it's just sort of continuing along the lines of my philosophy as a pet parent already. It feels like an organic joining--a continuation of how I've been protecting my pets already. Again, I feel very lucky to be in the position where I can afford to take care of my pet's health and take them for regular vet check-ups, and be protecting them already from fleas and ticks and heart worm, all of the like. But I'm proud to be a part of this particular partnership because I know that's not the case for everyone. I know that in this day and age not everyone's budget allows for them to take care of their pet's health as they would probably like to. So that's why I love being a part of this campaign--it really is providing healthcare that I believe is necessary.

In regards to protecting pets, and aligning yourself with the ASPCA, do you think that more celebrities need to advocate on behalf of animals?

Moore: I mean, there can't be too much of a good thing, you know what I mean? There is a lot of advocacy done on behalf of animals, and a lot of people in the public eye that do a good job of drawing attention to it. But, that's not to say that there shouldn't be more. Animals are helpless--they need someone to have a voice for them. I'm happy to champion any cause that has to do with animal welfare and well-being and health and all of that. I say the more the merrier though. Let's do it.

You adopted from a rescue shelter. What is it about adopting from a rescue shelter that makes the adoption process so special?

Moore: I believe it to be more fulfilling because you're giving a home to an animal that wouldn't necessarily have one otherwise. There's such a deep instant bond between your pet because of that. Maybe this is just us sort of giving our pets feelings. But I believe there's such a deep appreciation and gratitude on their behalf for you giving them love and a life and a second chance that they maybe wouldn't necessarily have had otherwise. But regardless, I think they just make the best pets. I think they're fantastic and they're loyal--both my dogs are mutts, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Can you share with us any of your more fond memories of your pets?

Moore: You know, I think there's nothing better than seeing all of your animals get along. We have two dogs and two cats--so seeing the cats lick the dogs, or seeing the dogs sort of shepherd the cats when they're kittens and being gentle with them, like throwing a toy and having both the dogs and one of the cats go after it--I think the peaceful co-habitation is really precious. When everyone can coexist peacefully--it's heartwarming.

With this interview, we'd like to give you the platform to promote any projects that you're currently working on. Would you like to talk about those?

Moore: You know, I appreciate you giving me the option, but I'd rather use this platform to talk about animal welfare. I think it's a much more worthy cause than any movie I could do.

To finish up, we're going to give you two options and have you choose between them. So, in adopting your next pet: go to a breeder or to a rescue shelter?

Moore: Go to a rescue shelter, hands down.

In your acting career: do you prefer voice acting or acting on screen?

Moore: I'm going to have to say voice acting.

And lastly, in life: vanilla, or chocolate?

Moore: Definitely chocolate.