Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (September 12, 2025) – In less than two weeks, on Thursday, September 25, animal-lovers across the world will unite in honor of Remember Me Thursday® (RMT). Social media postings tagging @RememberMeThursday and using the hashtag #ShineALight, as well as candle lighting ceremonies, proclamations, and even flag raisings, will remind the world that orphan animals need our help. Since its launch in 2013, the campaign has made over 2 billion social media impressions across 190 countries. Helen Woodward Animal Center asks each individual to take a few simple steps to become a powerful voice for the voiceless.
PHOTOS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lqb0uzvTrKRPf8AKw4qd_L35ghgH6TJr?usp=sharing
RMT was established in 2013 by Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms. Moved by the staggering statistic of over one million homeless pets who lose their lives each year in the U.S., Arms put out a call to rescue organizations in an attempt to create a global awareness campaign. As creator of the International Pet Adoptathon and the International Home 4 the Holidays® program, he was able to send out an expansive request and the response was significant.
Now in its thirteenth year, RMT is honored across the world with hundreds of thousands of individuals and more than 1,000 separate global animal welfare organizations spreading the message on social media. The enormous swell of celebrity support has resulted in the topic trending each year on both Facebook and Twitter.
Join 2025 Luminary Dylan Walsh + Nearly 100 Influential Luminaries On-Line:
Dylan Walsh is a prolific actor with an illustrious resume of television and movie credits. His most notable role comes as Dr. Sean McNamara on FX’s hit show Nip/Tuck (2003–2010). Most recently he has portrayed the Mayor of New York on Blue Bloods, sparring opposite Tom Selleck’s New York City Police Commissioner, a role he wrapped in 2024. Up until the show’s end in 2023 he also played General Sam Lane, father of Lois Lane, in Superman & Lois. Walsh is also no stranger to being a star on the silver screen, with film credits including The Stepfather, Congo, Secretariat, and The Lake House.
“In our current world I see too many shelter pets left alone and abandoned, all of them deserving of a loving family and forever homes,” said Walsh. “I am proud to have my name linked to Remember Me Thursday. Any organization whose mission is helping animals is something everyone should be behind. There are so many animals in horrific situations. To take in dogs, and cats, that have been through the worse and love them till they are adopted into loving, forever homes – this is support my family will always be behind. Thank you for the opportunity to represent and speak for this great cause.”
Beyond his work on screen, Walsh is no stranger to supporting animal welfare. In 2019 Walsh partnered with San Diego-based rescue The Animal Pad to promote dog adoptions, generating dozens of applications within an hour through a single post. His love of animals is deeply personal. He and wife Leslie adopted their beloved dog Ash, a 12-week-old street puppy, from New Jersey-based rescue Dogs and Cats of Antigua. Walsh has another dog, Riley, who is currently on a courageous journey battling cancer.
Walsh joins an impressive list of celebrity supporters also aligning themselves with RMT. Notable personalities, professional athletes, pet behaviorists and social media pet stars have signed on as “luminaries,” committing to share their thoughts on pet adoption in videos and via their social media accounts throughout the campaign. Nearly 100 influential luminaries have joined the cause. Past and present supporters include: Alicia Silverstone, Alison Sweeney, Amanda Balionis, Andie MacDowell (2023 Official Spokesperson), Bo Derek, Carrie Ann Inaba (2015 Official Spokesperson), Christian Siriano, Daymond John, Diane Keaton, David Backes (Anaheim Ducks), Dyan Cannon, George Lopez, Jake Muzzin (Los Angeles Kings), Jill Rappaport, Katherine Heigl (2014 Official Spokesperson), Kevin Frazier, Kristin Chenoweth (2017 Official Spokesperson), Lou Wegner, Mark Buehrle (World Series Champion), Rainey Qualley (2023 Official Spokesperson), Rick Springfield, Ryan Newman (NASCAR), SDSU Mens Basketball Team, Trisha Yearwood, Tony Kornheiser, Trevor William Hoffman, Wynonna Judd (2018 Official Spokesperson), Xander Schauffele, and many more.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE:
On Thursday, September 25th, to participate in the 2025 Remember Me Thursday® campaign online, individuals are encouraged to share the beauty and life-saving significance of pet adoption tagging @RememberMeThursday and using the hashtag #ShineALight.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get involved with @RememberMeThursday is to post your rescue pets and their story on social media.
Here are a few tips for posting to social media:
- Make sure your account is set to public so everyone can see your posts
- Include @RememberMeThursday and #ShineALight in your caption
- Use our downloadable graphics to make posting even easier
Not sure what to post? Here are some ideas!
- Share your rescue pet and their story
- Create a video showing your pet from when you adopted them to today
- Share a Day in the life of your rescue pet
Animal-lovers can also win life-saving funds, toys and food for adoptable pets looking for forever families at their favorite non-profit, pet adoption organization. To enter the Remember Me Thursday Social Media Contest, simply upload your rescue pet’s photo and story to the contest page for a chance to win!* (*Restrictions apply. Final selection remains at the sole discretion of Helen Woodward Animal Center).
For more information on Remember Me Thursday® and a full list of participating celebrities and animal welfare organizations, go to https://remembermethursday.org.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
About Remember Me Thursday®
Animal lovers and organizations across the globe unite on the fourth Thursday in September to light a candle in remembrance of the millions of homeless pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home and to shine a light via social media on the millions of orphan pets still waiting for their forever homes. The Remember Me Thursday® global awareness campaign is championed by Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center, and creator of both the International Pet Adoptathon and successful Home 4 the Holidays program which, in partnership with national animal organizations, has placed approximately 22 million pets in homes since 1999. For more information, please visit https://remembermethursday.org or via hashtag #RememberMeThursday on social media.
