June 30, 2004

By: Bernice Belfour
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

Home 4 The Holidays Pet Adoption Drive Shatters 200,000 Goal

More than a quarter-million animals will now have a happier new year, as a result of the international Home 4 The Holidays adoption campaign, sponsored by PETCO Animals Supplies, Inc., The Iams Company, PETCO Foundation and Helen Woodward Animal Center.

According to Helen Woodward Animal Center, creators of the event that began in San Diego in 1999, approximately 261,839 animals were adopted during the drive. The event ran from November 10 to January 4, and actress Diane Keaton once again served as celebrity spokesperson for the campaign.

Each year, more and more people choose to give the gift of life by adopting shelter animals, Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward and founder of the program, said. This year, with 1,316 adoption centers participating worldwide, Home 4 The Holidays shattered last year's total of 180,000 adoptions, and exceeded our stated goal of 200,000 animals in homes for this campaign.

Petfinder.com, the nation's largest online database of adoptable animals, joined the campaign for the second year, helping to broaden the number of participating shelters.

This is simply a tremendous success, Petfinder.com President Betsy Saul said. As more attention is given to shelter animals, clearly more people are realizing that they can find a loving family pet, who will provide a lifetime of devoted companionship, right in their own neighborhoods.

PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly agreed.

We are constantly amazed at the growth and continued success of this annual campaign, Jolly said. We can only hope that the attention and publicity given the program will translate into year-round increases in adoptions at all shelters.

In an effort to encourage adoptions, PETCO offers adoption gift booklets to new pet parents to help them get started with all the supplies and services their new family member requires. As part of the gift booklet, The Iams Company provided a free meal of Iams or Eukanuba to each adopted pet. The sponsors are committed to ensuring that the pets stay in their new homes for a lifetime of holiday seasons. In and effort to provide support to the new pet families, The Iams Company provided them with a New Dog or New Cat Careguide as well as access to an online new pet owner care center, email updates with advice on raising a happy, healthy pet, and continuing education on their pet's breed, life stage and lifestyle.

The Iams Company is proud of its partnership with Helen Woodward Animal Center, PETCO, the PETCO Foundation and shelters throughout the world, said Amy Newkirk, Marketing Manager for Iams. We're glad to be there as these families take their new pets not only Home 4 the Holidays, but home for life. For more information, see pet training aids.

About The Author:

Bernice Belfour is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.