Ariana Madix may be making waves as the host of Love Island USA and a fan favourite on Vanderpump Rules, but offscreen, her heart belongs to her rescue pets, and now she’s using her platform to help shelter animals across the country find homes.
The actress and entrepreneur has teamed up with the ASPCA for The Rescue Effect, a nationwide campaign running from August through October aimed at raising awareness about the millions of pets waiting in shelters. With over 6.3 million animals entering shelters each year in the U.S., the need for adoption and fostering has never been more urgent.
Madix knows this firsthand. She shares her life with two rescues: Kitty, her 18-year-old cat, and Mya Moon, a playful 6-year-old pit bull mix. “My rescued cat and dog are my best friends and have been there for me through thick and thin,” she says. “I can’t imagine my life without them.”
Through her social media presence, Madix is spotlighting adoptable pets while encouraging her followers to consider both adoption and fostering as options.
“When you adopt a pet, you’re not only saving their life, but you’re also making space for other animals in need,” she explains. For those unable to commit long-term, she points to fostering as a powerful way to ease the strain on overcrowded shelters.
In a playful Instagram post announcing the partnership, the ASPCA wrote: “HOT NEW BOMBSHELL JOINS THE RESCUE EFFECT @ArianaMadix… By choosing to adopt a pet, you help free resources and space for shelters to save even more animals—that’s The Rescue Effect!”
Madix echoed that message: “When you visit a shelter, you’ll see so many wonderful animals just waiting for a second chance. Choosing to adopt even one pet creates a ripple—not just for that animal, but for others who now have a better chance at finding a home, too.”
By lending her voice and her rescue story, Madix is proving that the bond between humans and pets goes far beyond companionship—it can inspire a movement.
To learn more or get involved, visit aspca.org/therescueeffect.