Jalen Smith Jumps to Dogs’ Defense in New PETA Campaign: ‘Never Leave Them Out in the Cold’
For Immediate Release:
January 13, 2025
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
As temperatures plummet in the Windy City and beyond, Chicago Bulls center Jalen Smith is laying down three pointers for dog guardians in a new PETA campaign: play nice, keep your dogs courtside, and never leave them out in the cold. In an accompanying video spot, Smith shares how his adopted canine companion, Phoenix, is the “star player” of his family’s team—which is why he always keeps him safe and warm inside.
“Every day he just makes sure that our days are filled with joy and happiness, so we try to make him as happy as we can,” says Smith. “I wouldn’t keep my dog outside because I wouldn’t want to be left outside … nobody wants to be outside during harsh weather conditions.”
Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about animals left outside in the cold, where they can suffer from frostbite and exposure, become dehydrated when water sources ice over, and die. In 2024 alone, there were at least 35 cold weather-related companion animal deaths and hundreds more injuries and rescues—and those are just the ones that have been reported. Most aren’t. That’s why PETA encourages everyone to treat dogs like family—just like Smith does with Phoenix—and bring them inside.
“Phoenix is like my best friend, and anytime my best friend is in need, I’m going to make sure that I can be there for him,” says Smith.
In the video, Smith reveals that he and his wife decided to add to their family’s roster shortly after he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2020—and made the responsible decision to adopt a canine companion instead of buying from a breeder or pet store. Smith notes that Phoenix’s mother was found abandoned by the side of the road while pregnant with the pup.
“We don’t know his exact breed, but the breed didn’t matter because we love Phoenix—and it’s the mystery behind him that makes him so cute,” says Smith.
Smith is part of a long list of athletes—including Lonnie Walker, Metta Sandiford-Artest, Tyrann Mathieu, Cam Newton, Enes Kanter, John Salley, and Chris Andersen—who have teamed up with PETA to promote kindness to animals.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
