FROM HOMELESS TO HOPEFUL: LOCAL DOG SVEN COULD BECOME AMERICA’S FAVORITE PET
Source: Central Oregon Daily (Extract)
Posted: January 28, 2025
Sven has a chance to become America’s Favorite Pet, be featured on the cover of Modern Dog Magazine, and win $10,000.
From homeless to potential star, one local dog is in the running to become America’s Favorite Pet, and every vote makes a difference.
Emily Cottrell and her dog, Sven, have been inseparable for over a year. Not long ago, they were homeless, finding shelter wherever they could to survive.
“Wherever we could go,” Cottrell recalled. “We’d find a spot with fewer people and less trash. But we always, always, always made sure to clean up after ourselves.”
Cottrell said that Sven was her constant source of strength, but it was the J Bar J Youth Services nonprofit that helped her take the first step out of homelessness through its Street Outreach Program.
“We all have a lot in common, whether it’s our connection to our pets or the basic needs we share,” said Eliza Wilson, Director of Runaway and Home Services for J Bar J Youth Services. “In this case, we feel fortunate to be able to offer support to Emily, particularly with housing, because we believe everyone deserves that.”
Things are looking brighter for Cottrell and Sven. Cottrell works as a medication technician at Aspen Ridge, and in February, she and Sven will move into their own apartment, thanks to the support from J Bar J services.
“They called us and said, ‘Hey, you got accepted! You’ve been approved for rapid rehousing,'” Cottrell shared. “We could pick a one-bedroom apartment for $1,500. Then she started applying to different places. Basically, we got to choose the one we wanted.”
And now, a second chance for good news might be on the horizon. Sven is in the running to become America’s Favorite Pet, with a chance to be featured on the cover of Modern Dog Magazine and win $10,000.
“Everyone keeps saying ‘10,000 frisbees,'” Cottrell laughed. “So, that would be pretty cool.”
America’s Favorite Pet is partnering with the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to support their mission of helping cats, dogs, and wild animals thrive in happy, healthy homes or their natural habitats.
“Sven truly deserves it,” Cottrell said. “He’s so beautiful and so smart. After everything we’ve been through, he really deserves to be recognized.”
Since 1967, PAWS has brought together over 130,000 cats and dogs with loving families, cared for more than 140,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, and made the world a better place for countless animals.