Gus Kenworthy, International Animal Advocate
When Gus Kenworthy arrived at the Humane Society of Utah Friday afternoon on June 19th, patrons were meeting new friends, volunteers were walking dogs, and the events staff was busy making last minute preparations for the gala. These people may not have realized that this reserved, humble young man who entered the building had in fact won an Olympic silver medal in slopestyle during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Headlines were made for another great deed he accomplished during that time, however, which is why Gus was invited to attend the Third Annual Wags to Wishes Gala as the guest of honor.
Heidi Myers and I took Gus and his manager on a tour of the facility where his love of animals became obvious. Gus quickly entered Kitty City and made friends with many of the residents, falling in love with one particular fluffy feline named Scruffy. During a walk through of Dawgville, his attention was stolen by the playful Scout, a two year old black Lab mix who accompanied Gus the remainder of his visit. Gus sat down with Scout and I for a causal interview to discuss his experience in Sochi during the Olympics.
As an accomplished and decorated professional freeskier, Gus competes in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air. His many years of hard work and dedicated training paid off when was chosen to be one of only four athletes out of many deserving competitors to represent Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics. It was a dream come true for Gus when he arrived in Sochi, Russia and a relief from the stressful and exhausting qualifying events leading up to the games.
During the trial events in Sochi the previous year, Gus was made aware of the epidemic of stray dogs in the area. He had heard in the news that they were euthanizing the strays in an attempt to clean up the city and create a positive public appearance, a fact that was very upsetting to someone who grew up with a cat and dog as pets. His dog, a birthday present one year, was adopted from the Humane Society and he has supported adoption ever since. It was heartbreaking for him to know so many stray dogs were fated to die and in dire need ofin dire need ofneeded help, but his focus was on his sport and his upcoming events.
After receiving a picture of a cute family of stray dogs by his friend, Robin, Gus left the Athlete Village, and traveled by a gondola and bus across the city to see them. He was immediately smitten with the sweet mother and her adorable puppies, vowing then and there to do whatever it would take to bring them home. Robin agreed to help and they began to make arrangements to adopt them.
The effort to save this family from eminent euthanasia reached the media and the government received some negative publicity as a result. Because of the high profile nature of the case, the family of dogs was held at a government facility where Gus was refused access to them even while other adoptions were cleared. Gus had to return home empty handed but Robin stayed an extra month to work with the Humane Society International and attempt to cut through the red tape. After the extremely unfortunate passing of one of the puppies, Robin was finally allowed to take the remaining five dogs back to the United States.
Gus acknowledges that he has received numerous compliments and comments from people across the world who were inspired to adopt a pet after hearing his story, yet he remains humble about his role as a celebrity animal welfare advocate. During an event he attended in New York City following the Olympics, he was informed that the local shelter was cleared out after news of his adoption story. A few criticized him for the time and money he spent to bring the dogs to the U.S. from Russia, however, he recognizes that if he had adopted from his local shelter it would not have had the international impact that his ordeal in Russia created. Gus knows that he has saved the lives of hundreds of dogs across the globe because so many people were inspired by his story.
Gus claims he didn’t go to Sochi with the intent on adopting a dog, his focus was on his sport and he wasn’t in the position to own a dog with the active lifestyle he led. It was only after the serendipitous meeting of this mother dog and her puppies that he fell in love and knew he had to help them. Gus said it best, “When your heart attaches itself to something, it doesn’t really matter what obstacles are in the way.” At this moment during the interview, Scout jumped up and smothered Gus with kisses, knocking off his mic and rousing a large smile and playful moment between them. “There is a negative stigma surrounding shelter animals as unwanted and bad when really they are amazing, wonderful pets,” Gus said as he held Scout.
The opportunity to do events, spread awareness about adoption and help raise money for shelters like the Humane Society of Utah during our gala is important to Gus. We thank him for his big heart and commitment to homeless animals, wish him well in his future goals and Olympic endeavors, and hope to see him again at next year’s gala!
By the way, Gus was thrilled when he heard the news that Scout was adopted later that day.