Miranda Lambert is so grateful she is a celebrity, but not for the typical reasons. The Texan reveals she is thankful for her notoriety, so she can pursue her biggest passion: rescuing animals.
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"I'm so thankful that the thing I love to do, music, this career, has set me up with a platform to give a voice to the voiceless," Lambert tells Austin Way. "It was a natural thing for me because animals have always been a passion. I grew up in rural East Texas, where there are strays everywhere. We always had random stray dogs become our pets. This was a natural progression."
In 2009, Lambert started MuttNation, to help rescue and care for animals in need. In addition to helping in times of natural disasters, MuttNation also offers grants to shelters, encourages spaying and neutering, helps with fostering and adoption and much more.
"To date, we've raised over $10 million for shelters—raising awareness for adoption, and helping with spaying and neutering," the "Run" singer boasts.
Miranda Lambert's Roots in Texas and Tennessee
Lambert has taken her MuttNation work all over the country. The 41-year-old proudly calls two states home: both her native Texas, and Tennessee, thanks to her country music career. But asked where she prefers to spend her time, and the answer is easy.
"Our place in Austin is walkable to things, and I enjoy that aspect," Lambert reveals. "The weather is so great all year. I love walking Lady Bird Lake. Every single person has a mutt. It makes me so happy!"
Fortunately, Lambert doesn't really have to choose which place to call home. She recently launched her own Big Loud Texas record label, working alongside songwriter and Texan, Jon Randall.
"Our goal is to bridge the gap between Nashville and the Texas music scene," she explains. "They've always been their own thing, but there's a lot of overlap, and I want to nurture that. I'm so lucky that I grew up in a state that has its own chart, its own scene. You can play in Texas for 10 years straight and never play the same place twice."
