Jill Rappaport is an award winning animal advocate, network journalist and
best selling author, known nationwide as the popular, longtime correspondent on NBC.

 

Rappaport started her TV career as the entertainment reporter for KRON, the NBC affiliate in San Francisco.

NYC was her next stop, becoming the cohost of the coveted PM Magazine franchise on Fox 5. She also cohosted a live, morning talk show. 

 

Rappaport then joined WCBS as their first entertainment correspondent, hosting a daily, live segment  and weekend specials. Shortly after, Rappaport landed on NBC’s Today, covering all facets of the entertainment industry, while cultivating lifelong relationships with A-list celebrities.

 

But her life and career took a fortuitous turn, when she featured her own dog’s battle with bone cancer on Today.  Jack’s story deeply resonated with millions nationwide, resulting in the heartfelt children’s book “Jack and Jill”, prompting Rappaport to find her true calling- Animal Welfare.

 

Now considered “ The Voice for the Voiceless," Jill works tirelessly to make a difference for animals in need by shining a light on shelter pets across America. Rappaport’s podcast, “Rappaport to the Rescue”, currently airs on Pet Life Radio, the largest and #1 pet podcast and radio network, and reaches 200 million customers. 

 

Rappaport created and launched a new and exclusive e-commerce website: https://petproductswithapurpose.com 

Jill Rappaport’s Pet Products with a Purpose features all of her one-of-a-kind products to encourage rescue and adoption. All models sporting the goods are shelter pets.  Rappaport’s complete line of pet supplies - some of which sold exclusively on QVC-including her hit dog toy “Shelter Shake”, cat toys, dog treats, leashes, collars, and dog beds all benefiting shelter animals in need. 

 

In addition, Rappaport did several rescue segments for ABC’s  “The View” called "Rappaport to the Rescue" including hosting their "Mutt Special" with a 100% adoption record. 

 

Rappaport launched the award winning segment “Bow To Wow” on NBC’s “Today,” which aired for more than 7 years and had a 100% adoption record, finding shelter animals a one-way ticket to a loving home. 

 

Several of Rappaport's exclusive and heartfelt animal welfare stories on NBC's Nightly News won awards and quickly went viral. 

 

In 2015 Rappaport was the Creator, Executive Producer, and Host of “Best In Shelter With Jill Rappaport” a half hour special that aired on NBC. The special focused on the “underdogs” of the shelter world-seniors, special needs dogs, and pitbulls. Betty White, Lindsey Vonn, Bryant Gumbel, Emmylou Harris and Bernadette Peters were all featured and all the dogs found a permanent, loving home. 

 

Rappaport created, hosted, and produced Animal Planet’s beloved “Dog Bowl”, an idea and a dream of hers to shine a light on older animals in need. Rappaport also hosted all rescue segments in Animal Planet's coveted “Puppy Bowl”. 

 

Jill Rappaport is the well-known author of  four books, three focusing on animal welfare including the best-selling People We Know, Horses They Love, featuring Robert Redford on the cover. 

 

Jill Rappaport’s work has garnered her countless coveted honors including: 

 

-A record 7 Genesis Awards from the Humane Society of the United States, considered the Oscars of the animal world.

-The first "Voice for the Animals" Award from HSUS,

- The Presidential Service Award for Media Excellence from the ASPCA. 

-The Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award. 

-Ringing The NYSE Opening and Closing Bell to raise awareness for pets in need. 

 

Rappaport resides on her ranch in Long Island, New York, with her horses and rescue dogs who she refers to as her “fur angels”.  “Animal welfare is my oxygen, and when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life”... - Jill Rappaport