PALM DESERT, Calif. - After just about a minute surrounded by hundreds of dogs' pictures on a wall inside Loving All Animals, it was too much to bear. Taryn Manning broke down.
“Their faces, it’s just shocking,” she said.
Because while these dogs all made it, this wall represents dogs that were unwanted, on kill lists, or relinquished by their owners. Their proximity to death – too close for comfort.
You’ve seen Manning star in the Netflix hit Orange Is the New Black, now in its final season premiering this summer. She also just released her latest single,"The Light."
Away from the camera though, it’s just her and her rescues….and her love for all animals. Her activism actually started when she was in middle school – in detention.
“I was a disruptive kid. They handed me a bunch of magazines and it was all about animal cruelty. I didn’t really eat meat again,” she said.
With a successful career solidifying her platform, she’s at a phase in life where she says her priority is using it the best way she can. She’s done campaigns nationally for the Humane Society and Best Friends Animal Society, and now...
“As a new resident of the Valley, I wanted to get involved with everyone local here, I also do a lot in L.A. where I split my time,” she said.
She attended a charity event in the Palm Springs area, and found Loving All Animals, a non-profit focusing on creating and advancing programs to stop the killing of adoptable dogs. One such program tapping into the retirement community of Palm Springs, is their SOS (Seniors Offering Shelter) Foster Program.
“A lot of people at that age are alone, and they’re alone, so you have these two lonely souls coming together,” she said.
Loving All Animals also goes to local shelters, like Coachella Valley Animal Campus, rescuing animals in danger of not getting adopted. They're dogs that maybe need some extra care, or maybe just need some extra time. Dogs like 10-year-old Jaque. Manning herself has a senior dog.
“I’ve always had this bleeding heart for the underdogs if you will,” she said.
Loving All Animals has saved thousands of animals since its inception in 2008. And if this tugs at your heart , like it does Manning's – she begs you not to look away, but take action. Everyone can help, in some way shape or form.
“You may ask, 'How can we help?' My friend taught me something today: time, treasure and talent,” she said.
We all have something to give these animals.
“It all starts with us being more responsible pet owners, go out and do that first and we won’t have all these desperate faces everywhere,” she said.
She pleads - go to your local shelters.
“They can bite your high heels and mess things up, but the love you get when you give them another chance, it’s unparalleled, she said.
Look at how many dogs were close to being dismissed, but turned out to be the perfect fit for so many families. They just need a chance.