Miss America 2014 Wants You to ‘Celebrate Diversity’ by Adopting

PETA Crowns Nina Davuluri Spokesperson for ‘Adoption Saves Lives’ Campaign

For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2014

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Reigning Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri has won widespread acclaim for her beauty, talent, and grace under fire—and now, the dancer and aspiring physician is teaming up with PETA for a brand-new ad that features her hugging a rescued Indian “street dog” next to the words “Celebrate Diversity—Adopt a Mutt!” The new ad, available here, was shot on the beach in Malibu by celebrity photographer Jack Guy.

In an exclusive video interview with PETA, Davuluri opens up about her own experience with adopted mutts. “I have Hanuman, and he is 13 years old. And he is half retriever, half question mark,” she says. “I would really like people to know that every time they purchase an animal from a breeder, an animal is also losing their home—a rescue animal is losing their home.”

That’s why Davuluri, whose pageant platform is “Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency,” encourages people to adopt dogs and cats—after, of course, making sure that they’re prepared to commit to caring for an animal. “Having an animal is a full-time job,” she says. “It really is a huge responsibility—not only feeding them and walking them, playing with them, making sure that they’re healthy, taking them to the veterinarian. It’s just really important that they understand that it is a very large responsibility.”

Every year, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats end up in animal shelters, and half of them have to be euthanized because there simply aren’t enough good homes for them. In addition to adopting, families can help fight the homeless animal overpopulation crisis by making sure to have their animals spayed or neutered.

Davuluri joins a long list of celebrities—including Alicia Silverstone, Olivia Munn, Penélope Cruz, Edie Falco, Elisabetta Canalis, Maggie Q, and Eva Mendes—who have teamed up with PETA to promote kindness to animals.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.