|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com)-Of the eight million pets that enter animal shelters and rescue groups every year, approximately three million of these healthy and treatable pets are euthanized due to a lack of adoption. While there has been steady progress on the issue, three million cats and dog deaths remains a national tragedy.
“Pets end up in shelters through no fault of their own,” says Michael Markarian, Chief Operating Officer of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). “Shelter pets make great pets.”
To help these pets find homes, there’s the Shelter Pet Project, a collaboration between The HSUS, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council. It’s geared toward all Americans, particularly the approximately 17 million who will be acquiring a pet within the next year. The campaign’s public service announcements (PSAs) are designed to inspire pet lovers to make shelters and rescue groups the first place they turn to when looking for their perfect pet.
“Now is a perfect time for people to open their hearts to a homeless dog or cat. The love and kindness they show now will be returned from that pet not just in the coming year but for years to come,” according to Rich Avanzino, Maddie’s Fund President.
The campaign aims to break down the stereotypes associated with shelter pets and communicate that “There’s nothing wrong with shelter pets,” and includes PSAs created by Draftfcb Chicago and PSAs based on Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, animated by world-class animators, Paul and Sandra Fierlinger. The campaign also includes a series of PSAs, featuring Disney’s Santa Paws, which encourage parents and children to visit a local shelter to bring home their new “buddy” today. At the website, www.TheShelterPetProject.org, audiences can search for pets, get more information about pet adoption and send a customized “Adopt-a-Gram,” where a virtual pet will deliver a message to a friend encouraging them to adopt a shelter pet.
“We are thrilled to extend the reach of our campaign, which is creating a national dialogue about the importance of shelter pet adoption and helping destigmatize shelter pets,” said Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “The PSAs are both motivating and entertaining and I believe they will inspire families throughout the country to adopt shelter pets.”
The campaign also includes Facebook (www.facebook.com/ ShelterPetProject) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/shelterpets) pages where audiences can pledge their support of pet adoption and receive daily information and stories about adoptable shelter pets throughout the country. Learn more about the campaign at www.TheShelterPetProject.org.
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
HealthNewsDigest.com
For advertising/promotion, email: [email protected] Or call toll free: 877- 634-9180