It’s time to Clear the Shelters with help from the nationwide campaign that has helped over a million pets find homes. One of the many animal advocates participating again is Beth Stern, who showcased a jaw-dropping cage-free cat adoption center in Long Island. It’s the adoption center of our dreams, named after the Stern’s beloved bulldog, Bianca.
“We named it BFF, Bianca’s Furry Friends, feline adoption center after that little bulldog,” Stern said.
A Fantasy Come True for Animals, Stern, and Rescuers
Appearing on NBC New York, Stern gave a tour of the adoption center (See video below). As she explained, the Sterns named the center after their beloved English Bulldog, Bianca and her furry friends, who were adopted cats. When Bianca passed away, her life inspired Beth to begin rescuing cats and other animals, such as bunnies!
“It began with an English Bulldog named Bianca, the most charming dog ever. She loved car rides and sitting lazily on our laps at the dog park watching other dogs play. She snored and tooted like none other, and she was the light of our lives for nearly 10 wonderful years. When she died on July 17, 2012, our hearts were shattered, and we wondered if we could ever heal,” Stern said in her blog.
Bianca’s is a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art addition to the second floor of the North Shore Animal League America’s Adoption Center in Port Washington, New York.
“I knew when Bianca passed, I wanted to dedicate my time to the felines. And I said I really have this fantasy of cats living cage-free so the adopters can see them in their natural element,” said Stern.
North Shore’s Joanne Yohannan said the center is the rescue’s “dream come true” as well, all made possible thanks to Beth Stern.
Stars Have Their Own Meowgical Bianca Rooms
Stern explained that her “incredible friends” were in on the idea, including Rachael Ray and Billy Joel. They were there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Bianca’s launched in October 2019.
“Bianca’s Furry Friends Cage-free Feline Adoption Center ribbon cutting last night. Thank you to Howard and Billy and Rachael & John for their incredible support. I couldn’t have done it without you…,” shared Beth Stern.
The stars each have their own unbelievable rooms that have to be seen to be believed. Ray, a longtime animal advocate, adopter, and supporter, has a sunlit-filled modern cat palace with gorgeous multi-leveled tiers for cats to explore.
Everywhere you look, there are incredible artistic elements and curving lines.
And the legendary singer Billy Joel, a longtime supporter and adopter, donated his birthday concert proceeds to the center. The same night, his family adopted a dog named Jack from North Shore.
“In honor of him, we created the Billy Joel room,” Stern said.
The musical room features a piano which plays Billy Joel songs.
North Shore Animal League America shared a video of the Billy Joel Piano Room in honor of the last show of his “legendary residency” at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024.
Video via Facebook/North Shore Animal League America
Meanwhile, Stern’s room is pretty in pink.
“I’m such a girly girl. I love pink,” Stern said.
As she explains, the builders surprised her with a wall of some of the Stern’s resident cats. We spotted the fluffy white Persian Yoda, whose inspurrational story we have shared previously.
Stern says Howard has been her partner in everything and together they made this incredible dream come true.
“My husband, Howard, is my partner in everything I do. His love for animals is one of the main reasons I fell in love with him, and as of now, I think over 2000 animals have come through our home that we’ve fostered and nurtured and find forever homes for.”
You can see more about Bianca’s Furry Friends and take a virtual tour on the North Shore Animal League America’s website.
Video by NBC New York:
Beth Stern and Clear the Shelters
This year isn’t the first time Stern has been part of the Clear the Shelters campaign.
“Clear the Shelters is so important, and I feel so honored to be a part of it,” Stern said. “Now is the time to adopt.”
In 2017, she appeared with her friend, Katie Lee, to promote the events. While encouraging adoptions, she reminded folks that they need to be ready for a lifetime commitment with pets. It takes work and responsibility, but the rewards are companionship and unconditional love.
NBCUniversal Local’s Clear the Shelters campaign runs from August 1 until September 30. Both NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide help promote pet adoptions and fundraise with a network of animal shelters and rescues across the country.
Last year, 2023, it helped over 150,000 pets find homes and raised more than $575,000.
“Last year, over 150 NBC and Telemundo stations teamed up with 1,400-plus shelters and rescues located across 49 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam,” the website states.