Miranda Lambert attends the Miranda MuttNation March at Nissan Stadium on June 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rick Diamond/GIMiranda Lambert is spreading the love this week in honor of Valentine’s Day.
The “If I Was a Cowboy” singer’s MuttNation Foundation is helping out 20 pet rescue shelters across the country, in states including California, Maine, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and more. The foundation will give a $1,000 grant to each shelter.
MuttNation also launched an interactive “Mutt Match” quiz to help match people who want to help pets who have a harder time getting adopted, including larger dogs, special-needs dogs and senior dogs.
Lambert began volunteering at animal shelters when she was a teenager and has five rescue dogs, along with numerous cats, rabbits and horses.
“Shelter pets – especially the ones that are hardest to get adopted – and the people who care for them, have always had my heart,” Lambert said in a statement. “Valentine’s Day gives me one more chance to show just how special they all are to me.”
Lambert and her mother Bev Lambert launched MuttNation in 2009 to help support shelter pets in various ways, including raising pet adoption awareness, providing financial support to vetted shelters and offering monetary, hands-on and transport assistance during times of emergencies and disaster.
Last year, the Country Music Association teamed with Lambert’s MuttNation Fund to help music industry professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who were facing difficulties in paying medical expenses for pets. As part of the CMA’s Music Industry COVID Support effort, the CMA funded vet services and pet food supply for qualifying members of the music community.
Lambert is currently nominated for two Grammys during the upcoming April 3 ceremony, including best country album for The Marfa Tapes, her collaborative album with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram. Lambert is also nominated for best country duo/group performance for her Elle King collaboration “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
