Paris Hilton Is ‘Very Passionate About Giving Back’: Here’s How She’s Helping Pets in Need

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Paris Hilton may sing about seeing “what this love can do” in her Billboard Hot 100 hit “Stars Are Blind,” but she’s living out those words when it comes to her passion for helping animals.

“I am very passionate about giving back and it’s very personal to me,” the singer-entrepreneur — who partnered with Chewy to create her own line of pet food and grooming products “to give my pups the best life possible” — tells Billboard about lending a hand to pets in need this holiday season. “While my impact efforts are dedicated to help broadly with donations and more, I also like to go into shelters myself, and I love on the dogs, cats and more. I’ve even brought home some to foster or to adopt. I’m looking for a way to use my voice to do much more as the needs of shelters and pets continues to grow.”

Though Hilton, who is a well-known animal lover, may have more than adequate means to make monetary donations, she points out that — just as she does herself — volunteering is a wonderful and much-needed way to help. “I believe donating your time is just as valuable. Animals need to be fostered, some just need human touch for a few hours in a shelter,” shares the star, who is currently mom to son Phoenix and daughter London with husband Carter Reum. She also currently has five dogs: Diamond, Baby, Ether, Crypto and Iconic. “That’s the beauty of animals — a few minutes of love is so important to them.”

But there’s more you can do that doesn’t cost a single dollar. “Spreading the word, helping find homes even if you can’t take them in. You have power in just making the right connections with your own circle,” suggests Hilton. “Many shelters accept donations like food, treats, beds, crates, blankets towels and toys. Chewy has a great resource to find a shelter near you.”

The star also points out that some shelters have programs where animal lovers can take a dog out for a day of fun or a sleepover. And this holiday season, Chewy also has the Chewy Claus program, which donates five meals to animals in need for every letter written to Chewy Claus.

As for what her own pooches are asking Santa to put in their stockings? You know they’re going to be fancy! Hilton says Diamond, Baby, Ether, Iconic and Crypto have cute ribbon hair bows, glitter nail caps, a rhinestone placemat, a Chewy Vuiton toy as well as a Barkin bag toy and Lamb Chop pop star dog toy on their wish lists. “They love toys, treats and of course, expanding their red carpet wardrobe,” she shares. “And I love decorating the doggy mansion with anything that sparkles and shines.”

Though she now has two children and five dogs, the star reflects fondly on her two favorites pets of the past. “Tinkerbell and Diamond Baby were my closest friends and true soul mates — I always had them with me,” she tells Billboard. “That closeness before I was married, before I had kids was so unique and special. They knew my every secret and knew what I always needed. For such tiny animals, they had the biggest hearts, like nothing I’ve ever known.”

Now, Hilton is helping Phoenix and London — both 2 — learn about the joys of having animal companions. “They have the same love for pets that I do,” she reveals of her kids. “It’s amazing to see how gentle they are and loving they are with all our pets. They have all grown up together, and I hope the memories we are making now stay with them as a wonderful part of their childhood.”

The DJ also speaks proudly about what her children are learning through their pets. “They have learned how to respect and build trust with animals by seeing how we include them in every part of our lives,” says the star, who shares that the family pets also join them on the Sliving jet to fly to and from meetings. “They also see the care and feeding that goes along with it. It’s a great way to show them that pets need to be cared for — they rely on us.”

Hilton adds that though she may have quite a few animals at home, her husband is OK with it — “or else he’s really good at faking it!” she jokes. “He knew when we met that pets are a huge part of who I am, so from day one, it’s been a package deal. He loves seeing the kids with our dogs and he knows how much they mean to me, so it’s second nature to always plan travel, etc., and he includes the dogs. That means so much to me that he knows me so well.”