We already knew “To Love & Die” singer Jhené Aiko was a down chick with positive bohemian vibes, but her newest campaign encouraging the adoption of homeless dogs and cats has officially stolen our hearts.
Aiko, who’s been busy gearing up for the release of her first studio album, Souled Out, took some time to collaborate with peta2, PETA’s youth division, to implore pet lovers to adopt, rather than buy.
“It’s so important to adopt rather than buy because there are so many animals in the shelters that need homes,” Aiko said in her exclusive peta2 interview.
“I just feel like it’s better to give those animals a second chance, rather than go out to a breeder or a shop.”
The “Adoption is Love, Save A Homeless Dog or Cat,” ad, which features the singer snuggled with a rescued cat named Daisy, was shot by JSquared Photography in Los Angeles, and inspired by Aiko’s recent trip to a local animal shelter with her daughter.
The two adopted a cat during their visit.
“Ever since I was younger I had this connection with cats, I would bring home stray kittens,” Aiko said. “I have a five-year-old daughter and she really wanted cats and so I thought it was time. I got to the shelter ten minutes before it opened to make sure I could take them home that day.”
According to peta2, millions of unwanted pets enter shelters every year.
Six to 8 million unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters every year in the U.S., and half of them must be euthanized simply because there aren’t enough good homes for them. Buying an animal from a pet store or breeder robs a homeless animal of his or her chance at finding a loving home. The less fortunate never even make it to a safe haven—they’re left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they’re often subjected to abuse by cruel people, are injured by cars, or succumb to starvation or disease.
Aiko and peta2 have another important message for folks going through the adoption process:
“Once you do adopt your pet,” says Aiko, “it’s really important to get them spayed or neutered, just to keep control over the population of so many dogs and cats.”
Aiko joins a growing list of celebrities—including Rocsi Diaz, Angela Simmons, Kid Ink, Ke$ha, Jay Sean, and many more—who’ve teamed up with peta2 to promote kindness to animals.
Check out Aiko’s exclusive peta2 interview below:
For more information, please visit peta2.com.
