New TV show shines the spotlight on animal-loving stars

PAULEEN Luna-Sotto

The hectic and often unpredictable schedules of celebrities make having a pet quite a challenge for them.

“Animal Life TV,” a new child-friendly program on GMA News TV about pets and various other critters, will feature some of the industry’s animal-loving stars, and how they manage to take care of their four-legged tots.

“It does take a lot of effort, especially if you work in show biz. And this is one of the things the show teaches—that regardless of how busy you are, you have to find time for your pets, because they are not toys,” TV personality Divine Lee, who will host the show with Tim Yap, told the Inquirer at a press conference.

Stars appearing in “Animal Life TV’s” debut season, which airs Sundays starting April 17 at 9 a.m., include Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Gabbi Garcia, Marc Nelson and Mona Louise Rey.

“You will see their  relationships with their pets. You get to know their real personalities in the way they treat animals,” said Divine, who jested that she is probably better known as someone who wears animal prints than someone who genuinely cares for animals.

She has, in fact, a soft spot for dogs. The socialite currently has seven: one Pekingese, two shih tzus and five pomeranians—one of which is a “doctor dog” named Pritchon, whom she brings to child centers to help lift the spirits of cancer-stricken kids.

Aside from celebrity pet-owners, the show will feature experts. They will tackle different pet concerns and issues regarding health, grooming and behavior.

A segment will see the hosts traveling around the country and interacting with more unusual and, at times, wild animals,” Divine said.

Allan Policarpio