WASHINGTON—Myles Turner, NBA standout for the Milwaukee Bucks and devoted cat parent, has joined Humane World for Animals as an ambassador for its More Than a Pet campaign, which raises awareness of the barriers millions of pet owners face in accessing essential pet care and resources.
To kick off his role as a More Than a Pet ambassador, Turner is supporting the organization's Points for Pets initiative. For every point Turner scores during the 2026-2027 NBA regular season, Humane World for Animals will donate 250 meals to pets in underserved communities, and 1,000 meals for each three-pointer he scores. Turner's total points and the corresponding meals donated will be tracked on the More Than a Pet website with a dedicated online progress tracker updated throughout the regular season.
Approximately 20 million pets in the United States live with families experiencing poverty and 70% have never seen a veterinarian. The More Than a Pet campaign raises awareness of this national crisis and ensures that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, geography or background, can experience the joy of having a pet.
Turner's connection to the issue is deeply personal. In August 2018, Turner’s fiancé, Aysia McCloud, adopted their cat Casper from Operation Kindness in Dallas. According to the shelter, Casper was made available for adoption on August 25 and was adopted by McCloud the very next day.
Today, Casper is more than a pet. He's family. Casper, an 8-year-old domestic shorthair, is known for his larger-than-life personality. Affectionate and social, he enjoys giving kisses, soaking up sunny spots around the house, receiving daily brushing sessions with his own human-sized hairbrush, and attempting to fit into boxes of every shape and size.
"I can’t imagine our home without Casper. He is truly such a huge part of our family. I'm a big routine guy, and Casper fits right into that. Whenever I'm home, he's usually somewhere close by; my little sidekick," said Turner. “It's amazing how much personality one cat can have and how much joy he brings into our lives. Casper is the reason we started The Casper Foundation. We want more cats to find loving homes, but just as importantly, we want to help them stay there. That's why being part of the More Than a Pet campaign means so much to us. We know what Casper means to our family, and I know there are so many people who feel the same way about their pets. Access to essentials like food and veterinary care can make a real difference in helping pets stay with the families who love them. Every pet deserves that chance."
Turner and McCloud launched The Casper Foundation, an animal welfare nonprofit, in December 2025. Focused primarily on cats and the broader animal community, the foundation partners with shelters, supports adoption efforts and creates real opportunities for people to get involved and make a tangible difference.
"People love their pets as family members, yet millions struggle to access veterinary care, pet food and other basic necessities," said Amanda Arrington, vice president of Access to Care for Humane World for Animals. "We are thrilled that Myles is lending his voice to help raise awareness of this issue. His story with Casper perfectly demonstrates why keeping people and pets together matters so much."
Turner has established himself as one of the NBA's premier defensive players, leading the league in blocked shots twice during his career and spending 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, who he reached the NBA Finals with in 2025, before joining the Milwaukee Bucks that same year. Through his participation in Points for Pets, Turner will help drive awareness and support for Humane World for Animals' ongoing efforts to increase access to pet food, veterinary care and essential services in communities across the country.
The inaugural Points for Pets initiative launched in 2024 with Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball, who scored 1,184 points and 296,000 meals for pets. Minnesota Lynx All-Star point guard Kayla McBride supported Points for Pets in 2026 and finished with 775 points, including 126 three-pointers, and 319,750 meals for pets. These meals were donated and delivered to families around the country.
Through two of Humane World for Animals’ access-to-care programs, Pets for Life and Rural Area Veterinary Services, more than 750,000 pets in underserved communities have received support, including 38 million pounds of pet food and 12,800 pallets of pet supplies, valued at more than $130 million.
For more information about the More Than a Pet campaign and Points for Pets with Myles Turner, visit humaneworld.org/morethanapet.
