Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Continue The National Dog Day Celebration with Anthony Anderson and Autotrader

The relationship between dog and man traces back centuries. There were times when each relied on one another as hunting companions, and now, as inseparable friends. But there has come a time where our comrades need our help more than ever. That’s right, it’s time we start adopting dogs.

Dog adoption has become more popular over the years as pet overpopulation and its adverse effects have increased, but the fight is ongoing. Autotrader, known better for its dealings in automobiles, is one of the many companies who have been committed to highlighting dog adoption in the past and it’s continuing its mission with a new campaign in partnership with known dog lover Anthony Anderson.

zoegammon/Pixabay

Even though it’s not National Dog Day today, this is one of those missions to live by. It’s not just a day out of the year to show appreciation; this is an everyday endeavor.

We had the opportunity to speak briefly with producer, comedian, actor, and TV host Anthony Anderson about the new canine vest campaign with Autotrader and the importance of adopting dogs in honor of National Dog Day.

Autotrader has been a longtime sponsor for canines. In 2018, it partnered with Adopt-a-Pet to create Dogtrader.com to help prospecting dog owners search for their companions through local shelters and rescues in order to help more homeless pups find their forever home. It’s like Autotrader, but for the facilitation of adopting dogs from shelters and keeping the sacred relationship between four and two-legged friends alive and well.

Anderson’s relationship with rescue dogs is one that is near and dear to his heart. His father rescued many dogs from shelters when Anderson was growing up, which has ignited the admiration that Anderson is now able to share with his own kids with their 14-year old Cockapoo, Riley, whom they adopted as a puppy. 

“Growing up in Compton, we had a lot of animals, a lot of rescue dogs,” said Anderson. “Man’s best friend: Nowhere else in the world will you find a love that is unconditional like that. It made an impact on me as a child, growing up with so many adopted dogs, and it’s been important for me to pass this appreciation and love down to my kids.”

Anderson’s love for animals has been noted over the years. He was the host for Animal Planet’s weekly talk show Animal Nation for its short stint on air, which touched on everything from household pets to some of nature’s creepiest creatures.

“It (Animal Nation) was ahead of its time,” said Anderson. “I do miss it a lot, not only because I got to talk about dogs and inform viewers but I got to do some of the craziest things on there … I got bit by a German Shepherd! One of the coolest things was when we had George Lopez on the show, I learned that he’s rescued a lot of dogs over the years. I should’ve known that was the case because every time I drove by his house there was a new addition to the litter.”

With Anderson’s history of adopting dogs and his outspoken support for animals on Animal Nation, the Autotrader partnership is a no-brainer. And with it, Autotrader has gone and created a limited supply of custom, comfy lint-roller dog vests that pup parents can enter for a chance to win on the Dogtrader website from now until September 14th. 

We’ll admit that the only thing more endearing than a dog is a dog in a vest. In fact, Anderson has already gotten his paws on one of these vests to prove us right.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CESQUHYDufT/

“Oh yes, I have one for our dog, Riley,” said Anderson. “It’s a vest that’s made to be worn in the car because the fabric is made specifically to catch all the loose hair, which makes clean-up that much easier.”

Not only will this help keep your car clean on those long road trips, but for every vest given away, Autotrader will be donating funds to Adopt-a-Pet to further help more dogs find their forever home.

For those of our readers who may not be able to own or adopt a pet, there are still ways you can participate in this discussion and play a role in helping dogs find their forever homes. One of the ways Anderson continues to show support is by volunteering his time at his local animal shelter.

“Sharing Dogtrader.com on your social media channels and volunteering at local shelters are the best ways to help play a part,” said Anderson. “If you volunteer at your local shelters, you can help the dogs who get picked up off the streets who need a loving home.”

Maybe start by sharing some information and heart-tugging photos of pups at local shelters to help get the word out to your friends and family or head to the local humane society on your day off to sign up as a helping hand. You never know the impact you may have.

In the future, we can expect more of Anderson and his dog Riley on his Instagram page and more volunteer work at his local shelter. You can also watch Anderson continue his pragmatic storytelling role when the new season of ABC’s Black-ish is released in fall 2020 and as a co-host with his mother Doris Bowman on the game show To Tell the Truth.

If you’re a new dog owner and you’re looking to upgrade to some wheels that are safe and secure for your pet, Autotrader is also honoring canines by recommending the best car models for dog lovers in lieu of the occasion. Or, you could pamper your pup with a stylish dog house — whatever suits your fur. If you are looking for a name, check out this article about the best dog names ever.

Bryan Holt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Bryan Holt is a writer, editor, designer, and multimedia storyteller based in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate from the…
The best Stephen King movies made from Stephen King books (and where to watch them)
If you're scared of clowns or haunted cars, this isn't the list for you

 

The only thing more thrilling than a Stephen King book is a film adapted from one of his novels. The long-time author is one of the most successful writers of his generation, and his spooky, cinematic settings have served as inspiration for some of Hollywood's most esteemed creatives. The best Stephen King movies often use the source material as a basis for the film, and then the directors put their own twist on the story to pull the audience in even more. From Stanley Kubrick to Rob Reiner, famous filmmakers have operated within their own framework to turn otherwise forgotten Stephen King books into some of the most beloved of the last 40 years. These are the best Stephen King movies made from the best Stephen King books. These pictures range from coming-of-age stories to horrifying science fiction classics.

Read more
Brand Profile: How Dr. Squatch went from a viral social media startup to men’s grooming sensation
How Dr Squatch grew from startup to behemoth
Dr. Squatch bundle

"Most guys don't think about what bar of soap they use when they are washing their body. Let's face it, they're probably still using the soap your mommy bought for her little man. Is that what you want? To smell like mommy's little man?"

The opening of many of the advertisements from Dr. Squatch feels less like a commercial and more like a skit that you would actually stay and pay attention to. It reminds us of 20 years ago when Geico introduced the cavemen and kept us watching commercials instead of taking the opportunity to go to the bathroom. It is a soap made for men, according to them, "men who build things, men who open the pickle jar on the first try, and men who catch foul balls without spilling their beer."

Read more
Laundry Sauce will make you want to ditch your old detergent forever [Sponsored]
Laundry Sauce's luxury scented add-ins will spruce up laundry and leave your clothes smelling divine.
Laundry Sauce detergent pods for divine-scented laundry.

Most laundry detergents come in the same boring scents, the same uninspired packaging, and the same goopy, unpleasant format – seriously, what do they put in these bottles? Take a quick stroll down any detergent aisle, and you’ll see and smell a spring breeze, crisp linen, or intense fresh, whatever that means. They use a lot of the same aromas and just slap different names on the labels, too. Sure, doing laundry is a necessity, but surely there’s a way to make it more fun. There must be something better than an “intense” or “crisp” aroma.

Laundry Sauce is changing the game with its luxury-scented laundry pods. Thanks to a collaboration with world-class perfumers and scent artists – hey, that’s what they call them, not me – Laundry Sauce’s high-performance pods are infused with sophisticated scents. These ultra-concentrated pods transform any laundry day into a sensual experience with scents like Australian Sandalwood and Egyptian Rose.

Read more