Party animals! Fun event benefits charity for pets

Victoria Stilwell is just wild about animals. Irresponsible pet owners make her growl and euthanasia caused by overpopulation makes her howl.

“A horrendous waste of life,” she said during “Take The Lead,” a fundraiser held recently to benefit Fix Georgia Pets. “The really responsible thing to do is spay and neuter. These animals don’t deserve what they’re getting. You know your dogs or your cats have emotions.”

Known for her role on the Animal Planet show “It’s Me or the Dog,” Stilwell is the author of numerous articles and books on humane training and other four-legged topics. She was the keynote speaker at the charity event chaired by Ginny Millner, Rubye Reid and Susan Lecrew and held at the Swan Coach House. Former WSB-TV anchor John Pruitt served as host.

Fix Georgia Pets estimates that more than 300,000 animals are euthanized every year in Georgia, 80,000 in metro Atlanta. The organization works to combat those sad statistics by supporting clinics that offer affordable spay and neuter services. It maintains a list of recommended facilities on its website, fixgapets.com.

In addition to raising funds, the event highlighted Stilwell’s recommendations for making sure all furry friends have loving homes. She urges pet lovers to adopt strays rather than buying from breeders.

“Your cats and your dogs are the luckiest cats and dogs because they’re in your homes,” she told the crowd. “You’re also helping other cats and dogs who have no homes.”

Atlanta-shot film honors late actor

“Fast 7,” the latest in the hit “Fast and Furious” series, was filmed largely in Atlanta and is due in theaters in April after be- ing delayed nearly a year due to the death of a key cast member. Franchise star Vin Diesel said the finished product serves as a tribute to Paul Walker, who died at age 40 in a Los Angeles car wreck in November 2013.

“Our objective was to make Paul Walker proud,” Diesel posted on social media. “After watching ‘Furious 7,’ and his timeless performance, we realized that it was Paul, who has made all of us so very proud.”

The movie was filmed in numerous metro Atlanta locations including downtown and historic Oakland Cemetery.

UTED BY NANCY JO MCDANIEL CONTRIB- Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog” host Victoria Stilwell (left) listens at the Fix Georgia Pets charity fundraiser with Ginny Millner, one of the event’s organizers.