| Wendy Diamond | |
|---|---|
Wendy Diamond at the Farm Sanctuary 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City on May 14, 2011 |
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| Born | Wendy Diamond August 24, 1973 Chagrin Falls, Ohio, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Animal Rescue Advocate, Pet Lifestyle Expert, Television Personality |
| Years active | 1999–present |
Wendy Diamond is an entrepreneur and animal rescue advocate[1][2] [3] author of two cookbooks,[4] founder and editor of Animal Fair magazine,[4] and frequent media personality.[4] Wendy is often seen with her dog Lucky Diamond,[5][6] a Maltese adopted in 1999.[4] She is also the creator of Paws For Style, a pet fashion show, as well as Yappy Hour, a nationwide tour that hosts parties for singles and their dogs.
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Wendy Diamond was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and studied at Pine Manor College in Boston.[7] Diamond's philanthropic work began with her work for the Coalition for the Homeless where she met Peter Jennings while delivering food to the homeless from the back of a van.[7] While working with the homeless, Diamond launched two cookbooks [4] which raised over two hundred thousand dollars for homeless charities.[8] The first, A Musical Feast, features the recipes of musical artists such as Madonna and Steven Tyler. The second was called An All-Star Feast, which features the favorite meals of various athletes, including Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter.[9]
Diamond's work with the Coalition for the Homeless inspired her to turn her focus towards homeless animals.[10] She adopted[11] her Russian Blue cat Pasha from The Animal Care and Control facility in New York City. She later adopted [12] her Maltese, Lucky. Soon after that, she conceived, created and founded Animal Fair,[13] the first ever [14][15]pet lifestyle media company.
The magazine is the first [16] lifestyle magazine for animal lovers in support of animal rescue. Each issue of Animal Fair is dedicated to highlighting non-profit animal organizations, providing pet parenting and health tips, and to showcase celebrities and their pets. [17] Renée Zellweger appeared on the cover of the premiere issue in 1999, and since then celebrities including Beyoncé Knowles, Halle Berry, Regis Philbin, Charlize Theron, Pamela Anderson, Ashley Tisdale, Shania Twain, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Serena Williams, Kim Cattrall, Matt Leinart, Hilary Duff, Eric McCormack, Kristen Bell, Bo Derek, Diane Lane, Alicia Silverstone, Hayden Panettiere and LeAnn Rimes have all appeared on the cover with their pets.
In 2003 the magazine teamed up with Cesar Canine Cuisine to introduce the Cesar Five Dog Bones Awards, an annual awards competition for establishments that cater to pets. Winners are voted for by Animal Fair readers each year.[18] The awards are broken down into seven categories: Destination, Airline, Automobile, Hotel, Product, Resort, and Shelter. Past winners have included Continental Airlines, New York City, Volvo and The Humane Society of Louisiana.[19]
Diamond has done numerous television series including Single in the City on the WE: Women's Entertainment network, Lucky Travels on Animal Planet and Relationship Rehab on the Style Network.[20] She frequently contributes to Today (NBC program), Fox News Channel, CNN, Good Morning America and has appeared on countless other media outlets worldwide, including The View, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Extra (TV series), Forbes, The New York Times, People (magazine), Vogue (magazine), MTV, VH1, and E!. She has been dubbed by The New Yorker as the "Martha Stewart of the Milk and Bone dish"[21], New York Post called her the "Pet Diva", and Forbes dubbed her the "Canine Queen."
In Summer 2008,Diamond was featured as one of the judges of the summer CBS prime-time series Greatest American Dog alongside Victoria Stilwell and American Kennel Club board member, Allan Reznick.[22]
Diamond is scheduled to serve as a judge alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Betty White for the American Humane Association's Hero Dog Awards airing on The Hallmark Chanell on November 8th, 2011 at 8PM ET/PT [23]
Diamond's production company Lucky Diamond Productions are Executive Producers and Creator of the pilot for NBC Mutt Makeover, Executive Producer and Host of Paws for Style Special on Fox. Lucky Diamond Production's latest project is In Search Of Puppy Love, a docucomedy that premiered at the Boston Film Festival and also played at the Cancun International Film Festival.[20] The film is based on Wendy's Yappy Hour Rescue Tour that raised over $200,000 for animal rescue and features celebrity appearances and interviews with Warren Beatty, Hugh Hefner, Jeremy Piven, Paula Abdul, Kathy Griffin, Hilary and Haylie Duff, Betty White, Fred Willard, Delta Burke, Moby, Aaron Pike, and many others.[20] A date for wider release is pending.
Diamond was appointed to the World Entrepreneurs Day Advisory Board in March 2010 as Chief Pet Officer [24] She later spoke at the World Entrepreneurs Day kickoff on April 14 at the UN.[25]
Wendy and her dog, Lucky, served as the celebrity Grand Marshals for the 2010 Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras parade on February 7, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. [26] [27][28] Diamond also co-chaired and hosted the unveiling of the Katrina Pet Memorial for animals affected by Hurricane Katrina [29] [30]
Diamond also serves on the Board of Advisors[31] for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Achievers, provided by the People's Foundation where she works to advance the UN's goals to, in partnership with like-minded organizations, advance personal and social development, new economics and business models, humanitarian entrepreneurship, living system solutions, environmental sustainability, and solutions for the Millennium Development Goals.[32]
On June 12, 2010 Diamond spoke at the H+ Summit (an event considering issues within transhumanism) hosted by the student organization Harvard College Future Society in conjunction with Humanity+.[33] Her talk examined her projections for the future of pets and the pet industry.[34]