Rescue pets reveal actress’ passion
‘Scandal’ star Bellamy Young shows her softer side with fostering animals
Starring on ABC’s megahit drama Scandal, Bellamy Young plays a tough-as-nails, scheming first lady of the United States who often appears to have ice water flowing through her veins. “It’s hard to imagine her a dog lover,” jokes Young of her alter ego, her North Carolina accent peeping through ever so slightly. But as soon as the cameras stop rolling and Young steps out of character, the actress’ passion for animals can’t be suppressed. “These sweet, furry little critters make a house a home,” she says, curled up on her couch with her Chihuahua mix, Bean, on her lap, and two cats, Button and Sadie, tucked in next to her.
Bean came into Young’s life as Pixie, a tiny, forgotten dog who found her way to the Carson Animal Care Center in Gardena, Calif. Young, who won a Critics Choice Award in 2014 for supporting actress in a drama series for her portrayal of Mellie Grant on Scandal, was no stranger to the shelter.
“I’ve pulled several dogs from there to foster and eventually find ‘furever’ homes,” she says. And a November 2009 visit was no exception. Young was planning a trip from Los Angeles back to her North Carolina hometown to visit her mother (her father died of lung cancer in 1984) for the holidays.
“I had just placed a one-eyed pit bull I was fostering and felt invincible, so I quickly wanted to give another sweetheart a home for the holidays.”
After selecting a terrier mix that was scheduled to be euthanized, Young saw another dog looking terrified in a cage, and instantly contemplated fostering both dogs.
“The second one had a collar and the shelter employees said they were hoping to reunite her with her family. So I didn’t bring her home,” she says. “Then I saw this tiny, beautiful creature in the same cage who looked at me with big eyes (that) she blinked ever so deliberately. I was drawn in by her and asked the shelter to please call me before they put that dog (Pixie, later renamed Bean) down.”
Days later, Young received the call that Pixie’s time at the shelter was drawing to an end. Without hesitation, she raced to bring her home. Having already found a home for the terrier mix, Young and her new pal hopped a plane to her native Asheville, N.C., just 36 hours after leaving the shelter together.
“I was going to give her to my mom because she wanted a dog, but she took one look at the two of us together and said ‘that’s your dog!’ I renamed her Bean and we’ve been together ever since!”
ADOPTING IS SECOND NATURE
Animal causes and welfare have always remained close to Young’s heart. In her sophomore year at Yale, concern for animals prompted Young to adopt a vegetarian, and later vegan, lifestyle.
“That day in 1988 I was handed a piece of chicken in the dining hall. It was a little undercooked and the way it was plated, that poor piece of chicken reminded me of my mother’s little dog. In
an instant, I knew I could no longer eat another animal.”
Despite being a strict vegan, Young says she doesn’t judge others’ diets or lifestyles. “I wasn’t meant to eat animal products. But I’m not dogmatic and run in the street saying everyone should be vegan. This is simply how I choose to live to try and make my corner of the world a better place for everyone.”
Living in New York City after college, Young was an avid supporter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the pet-rescue organization Best Friends Animal Society and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), offering financial support and lending her time whenever possible.
Then, a change in coasts helped Young take an another step in championing animals.
“When I moved from New York to Los Angeles, I purposely planned my route to go by Best Friends Animal Society headquarters in Utah, to stop in and see the work they’re doing and make a donation,” she says.
Once in Los Angeles, Young says she found the space and selfconfidence to begin fostering.
“To give an animal the room to find a second or third chance is such a blessing. It’s amazing to be the conduit for one soul to find another soul.”
But sharing her life with dogs already was a lifestyle for Young. Her childhood home was shared with pets, she says: “My parents had a Chihuahua mix named Tippy, who they said would snuggle me in my crib.”
Young, who was adopted as an infant, has a deep-rooted admiration and respect for all animals regardless of their breed or species, but as an adoptee herself, she says rescues in particular are her kindred spirits.
“I think my experience as an adoptee who was given beautiful, loving parents, makes me sympathetic to the plight of the voiceless and those who are disregarded or tossed away or thought to not have value in a society. I feel like no one is expendable because it’s convenient. So many animals out there without homes have so much love to give, and I want to do all I can to get them in forever homes so they can give that love.”
In addition to sharing her home with her forever furry family members and her fosters, Young works to reduce the population at local shelters. “I’ll snap photos of dogs there and send them out in email blasts to family and friends to share with their networks and so on. I know some people aren’t comfortable going to a shelter, so I try to bring it to them.”
Along with providing a home for rescue dogs, Young used her star status for good when she competed on — and won — Celebrity Jeopardy! in May 2015. She donated her $50,000 winnings to Operation Blankets of Love, an animal-welfare organization that improves the well-being of homeless animals. In January 2015, she and her rescues also filmed a public service announcement for The Shelter Pet Project, a collaborative effort among HSUS, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council, to encourage adoption from shelters and rescue groups as a first choice for families considering a pet.
Young says she’s often asked how she can hand a dog over to new parents after an adoption is completed. She concedes that while Bean was “a beautiful foster fail that was meant to be,” she typically rejoices placing a dog with a permanent family.
“I think you know when they’re meant to be yours. You feel that connection in your soul. That’s how it was with Bean; I knew she was meant to be mine,” she explains. “With fostering, you feel a part of the furry baby’s path, but know you’re not the destination. I always feel so lucky to be part of that process.”
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IS A GIFT
The unconditional love experienced from sharing space with animals motivates Young to help place her fosters — or those waiting in shelters — in homes.
“That kind of love is such a gift, and it’s one you can’t ever get from humans. We’re not capable of that sort of caring without strings, pretenses or judgment. And I hope that all these babies waiting for homes can find someone to bestow that love upon.”
But she concedes accepting that love wasn’t always easy.
“I went from mostly having cats post-college to being on my own in L.A. and bringing home a dog, too. That required me to learn how to accept unconditional love,” she confides.
Young says Bean and her cats have helped her define an emotional identification that has informed her point of view.
“Having always lived with animals, I see how much more purely they love. That kind of perspective is my goal. I want to be able to transcend the pettiness of politics, fear and ego, and love in a pure state.”
That doesn’t mean she walks around wearing rose-colored glasses or positions herself from a point of vulnerability.
“I’ve learned to listen with my heart, not only my eyes, ears and brain. And having my furries has helped me learn to show up for people in my life, much less animals, with the full power of heart and soul.”
Her pets also help Young stay focused on the present.
“As humans, we get stuck in the past and future. We worry about what we’re doing tomorrow or didn’t do yesterday. By being happy you’re home, wanting to play or have a belly rub ... animals keep you present and grounded in heart.”
Her work with shelter and rescue animals has also provided some spiritual clarity.
“Fostering a little life is so humbling and sacred. It reminds you we’re all here to help each other and that you’re not the central character in the story of life. You’re a supporting role and ... helping and loving an animal is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Every time you save them, you save yourself a little bit, too.”
“So many animals out there without homes have so much love to give, and I want to do all I can to get them in forever homes so they can give that love.” Bellamy Young