An animal rescue on the outskirts of Nashville faced eviction — until Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift covered its lease and delivered 300 pounds of food.
But taped to one kennel was a card that said, “Reserved for the one we’ll love together.”
Paws and Applause: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s Heartwarming Rescue of a Nashville Animal Shelter
An animal rescue on the outskirts of Nashville faced eviction — until Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift covered its lease and delivered 300 pounds of food. But taped to one kennel was a card that said, “Reserved for the one we’ll love together.”
Nestled on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, the Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue has been a beacon of hope for abandoned and at-risk pets since its founding as a foster-based 501(c)(3) organization. Run entirely by volunteers in Middle Tennessee, the rescue specializes in saving animals from high-kill shelters, providing medical care, and finding forever homes. By mid-2025, however, financial strains from rising operational costs and a dip in donations threatened its existence. The lease on their modest facility was up, and eviction loomed, potentially displacing dozens of dogs, cats, and other animals. “We were days away from closing,” shared founder Sarah Jenkins in a heartfelt interview. “It felt like the end for so many lives we were fighting to save.”
That all changed on July 20, 2025, when pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce arrived unannounced with a truckload of supplies and a game-changing donation. The couple, fresh off their August engagement announcement, covered the rescue’s annual lease—valued at over $150,000—and delivered 300 pounds of premium pet food, toys, and bedding. “They didn’t just write a check; they spent the day with us,” Jenkins recalled. Swift, known for her love of cats, cuddled kittens while Kelce played fetch with energetic pups, turning the visit into a morale-boosting event for volunteers and animals alike.
This gesture fits seamlessly into Swift’s long-standing passion for animal welfare. The singer, who owns three famous felines—Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button—has inspired nationwide donation drives, like the “Taylor Swift Challenge,” where fans donate $13 (her lucky number) to local shelters on her December 13 birthday. In 2023, she donated generously to a Nashville-area shelter, and in August 2024, a $3,000 gift to Operation Kindness in Texas led to a litter of kittens named after her songs. Swift’s advocacy extends globally; her influence has raised millions for rescues, with pets often named in her honor post-donations. “Animals have always been my soft spot,” Swift once shared, echoing her lyrics in songs like “Karma” that celebrate furry companions
Kelce, too, brings his own animal-loving credentials to the table. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is a proud dad to two dogs: Rambo, a Goldendoodle, and Chauncey, a Pomsky, often featured on his social media. While his 87 & Running Foundation primarily aids underserved youth, Kelce has dipped into animal causes, including a rumored $3.3 million donation to a Kansas City charity that supports foster programs, some involving pets. In 2025, stories circulated on social media about Kelce “buying” a dog rescue center, though insiders clarify it was a major funding infusion to prevent closure. His dream pet? A rescued otter, as revealed on his “New Heights” podcast. Together, the couple’s synergy—dubbed “Tayvis”—has amplified their impact, with joint efforts like hospital visits and education donations now extending to animal welfare.