Given the opportunity, one could spend hours talking with Jane Wiedlin about her career and achievements. She was the co-founder of the 80s band The Go-Go’s—arguably one of the most influential all-female bands in history—she launched four of her own solo albums, she has appeared in movies and on television, she’s a voiceover talent, she is an ordained minister (Reverend Sister Go-Go), she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and she and the rest of the Go-G0’s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. But the thing that struck us, of course, is that she’s a major dog lover.
She’s on the Board of Directors of Aloha Ilio Rescue (AIR) in Hawaii (“It is an honor,” she told us), which happens to be one of Dark Dog Posse’s Rescue Partners. Given the opportunity to connect with Jane through the rescue, we jumped at the chance to ask her about her love for dogs and rescuing animals. Here’s what she had to say.
You’ve been a proponent of PETA since the 80s. The title track of your solo album Fur is an animal rights anthem. Apparently, you have always loved animals. How did that all get started?
When I left the Go-Go’s in 1985, I knew I wanted to devote a lot of my time to charity and PETA was making a pretty big splash, so I joined forces with them. After a few years, my experiences led me to the opinion that a lot more could be accomplished working with grassroots, local organizations. That’s when I actually had a local animal rescue group base themselves on my property (I lived on a ranch). After that I worked at a Wildlife Rescue Center, which was a very interesting experience, because we had mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, etc. I’ve been involved with lots of groups but my alliance with AIR (Aloha I’lio Rescue) started in 2015 and is still going strong.
Did you have pets growing up? Any fond memories you’d like to share?
I, along with my four siblings, was desperate to have a dog. For Christmas one year, what I wanted (and got) was a robotic toy dog that barked and walked a little. I think this shut me up for a little while, but I still really wanted a real dog. Finally, when I was about eight, our parents let us get one. Her name was Tippy, and she was a very good girl. She became quite the bodyguard towards me and my sibs.
It must get lonely on the road. Did you ever bring a pet with you while you were touring? When you were on a movie set?
I’ve never had the pleasure of doing that! It sounds dreamy though.
There are stories of Curly (from the Three Stooges) picking up street dogs wherever they were filming. He is credited with saving and rescuing as many as 5,000 dogs. Taylor Swift also reportedly funds pet food pantries in every city she plays when she’s touring. Do you have a similar story? We know you played in the “Rock Against Fur” concert in New York years ago.
I’ve been rescuing and fostering dogs for decades. When I see dogs on the street, I always try to get them and then get them home. Working with Aloha I’lio means that they can round up the lost or abandoned animals, then I am one of many volunteers that may foster the dog. Without fostering, rescue becomes extremely difficult because you can never build enough kennels at a facility. It’s very, very hard to save as many dogs as we do at AIR and it certainly wouldn’t work without foster parents. I’ve hosted many litters of puppies, which is always fun.
What is it about animal rescue that holds your interest?
I can’t stand that innocent creatures don’t have a voice. Someone has to be that voice, and I have chosen to be a voice for dogs, though I love all animals. Dogs are especially dear to me because they are the only species that aligns themselves with us willingly, for nothing in return.
Do you have a favorite rescue story?
In 2016 some friends of mine found a dog chained outside of a crack house. The dog had no food, water, or shelter. He looked near death and was so emaciated the bones in his tail had started to pierce his skin. I volunteered to take him. He was a pit bull but really was more like a pitiable, he was so sick. Nursing him back to health and seeing his first smiles was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I found a great home for him with a woman that had Two female pittie rescues. Sam lived like a king from then on and became the ambassador at the woman’s pizza parlor. He lived a long, happy life.
Jane’s posse: Pete, Wilhelmina, Kevin, Rosemary, and Smidgey.
If there was one thing you could tell the world about animal rescue, what would it be?
I’d like to ask people to stop buying dogs until there are no more dogs dying because we can’t find them homes. Secondly, I really encourage people to foster. It is so rewarding. Ninety-nine percent of the people say they can’t because they will become attached to the dog. The thing is, it’s not about YOU, it’s about THE DOG! It is irrational to believe you are the only good home the dog could ever have. There’s nothing like the feeling of finding a great home for your foster dog. It feels great! Don’t make this about you or your feelings; make it about saving a life!