'Today' Show Showcases Phoenix Animal Rescue's Mission

It took Hoda Kotb nearly six months for her to find the right dog to bring home, but then again, it was a national search. Kotb, co-host of the "Today" show with Kathie Lee Gifford, was reported to have wanted to find the perfect pet, and used the NBC show’s national networking power to help with the search.

Enter Phoenix Animal Rescue, a small, nonprofit rescue located in Chester Springs.

“We were contacted by the folks at Petfinder,” Susan Johnston, Phoenix Animal Rescue Grant Coordinator and Foster Mom, said in an e-mail. “They expressed interest in featuring one of our dogs on the show and for consideration of Hoda Kotb for adoption.”

As part of Phoenix Animal Rescue’s ongoing work to find potential pet parents for its rescue animals, the nonprofit often works with the online pet adoption organization Petfinder.org.

“We are a small but dedicated team, united by our love of animals and our passion for saving lives,” Johnston said.

In addition to working with Petfinder, Phoenix Animal Rescue also works with the Pottstown Petco, which provides the rescue space for “Meet and Greet” events to help connect rescue animals with potential parents.

Johnston explained that most of the animals at Phoenix Animal Rescue come from the Animal Care and Control Team shelter in Philadelphia. The rescue then brings the animals to several foster homes that specialize in rehabilitation by addressing medical and behavioral issues.

“These animals would otherwise be deemed unadoptable,” Johnston said, adding that fostering the animals first allows them to be evaluated on where they would best thrive when adopted. “Our mission is always renewing hope for homeless animals, one day at a time.”

Johnston travelled to New York, joining other rescue agencies including Petfinder and PAWS Chicago in late March.

Johnston wasn’t alone on the trip, as she travelled with potential adoptee Cinnamon, a dark red-haired Poodle-mix, who was just eight-weeks old at the time.

Johnston and Cinnamon joined nine other rescue dogs on walk through Central Park to individually meet with Kotb.

“This is a life-changing day for me,” Kotb said in a post-event interview video.

And, it would soon prove to be a life-changing day for one lucky pup when Kotb again met with each of the rescue dogs at the March 27 Today Show.

Each of the dogs were lined up and held by their respective rescue organizations, as a visibly excited Kotb went up and down the line, embracing each dog and looking happily uncertain which one she’d like to bring home.

Then, suddenly, and without hesitation, Kotb embraced Goldfish, a black and white 5-month old male Cockapoo, rescued from the streets of Chicago.

However, in a surprise move, Gifford made a beeline toward the tiny puppy Cinnamon, whom she then gave to a friend’s son standing in the studio audience.

Johnston said that the experience was enlightening and encouraging. 

“Since there are more than 1-million homeless pets looking for homes each day, I was thrilled to do anything we could to promote that effort,” Johnston said. “Although this event may not make a difference for all of the homeless animals, any media attention that is placed on rescue animals furthers our cause, one animal at a time.”

For more information, visit the Phoenix Animal Rescue website.