Justin Bieber jumped at the chance to spearhead a new animal adoption campaign for People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals - because he bonded with his dad at a shelter for stray cats and dogs when he was a child.
The Baby singer and his pet dog Bijoux starred in an ad for PETA's youth division in 2009, urging fans to adopt strays from shelters over puppies from stores - and now he's back for a new campaign, recalling the joy he had with his first pet, Sam, who he took in from a shelter.
He tells the animal rights organization's Animal Times magazine, "We moved to a city where I didn't really know anybody, so... I wanted a friend around and Sam was... that friend.
"My dad and I used to go and hang out (at the shelter)... just go and visit the different animals."
And Bieber is desperate for fans to visit their local shelter before making any decisions about becoming a dog or cat owner.
He adds, "It's really important that people adopt. I really encourage going out to an animal shelter or a place where you can get a dog who has been abandoned or doesn't have a home."
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