animal shelters Archives – Page 2 of 2

ASPCA and the Petco Foundation grant $1.5 million to Dogs Playing for Life

August 16, 2017

ASPCA logo

Petco Foundation Logo

The following is a press release from ASPCA:

The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the Petco Foundation are teaming up to provide a substantial grant of $1.5 million to Dogs Playing For Life to expand and elevate its innovative playgroup enrichment training to shelters across the country.

This partnership will begin in Los Angeles County – building on the success the program has already seen at both the Downey Animal Care Center and the Carson Animal Care Center, with plans to eventually extend to all LA County Animal Care Centers.

Even as shelter statistics have continued to improve, large-breed and pit-bull type dogs remain at-risk in shelters due to persistent and pervasive misinformation and misconceptions that prejudice people against them.

Dogs Playing For Life is a creative program that provides socialization and enrichment for shelter dogs in the form of structured playgroups and is aimed at improving the lives of our country’s most at-risk dogs. It also enables shelter staff to better understand each dog’s personality and share that information with potential adopters, increasing the likelihood that participating dogs find safe and loving homes.

“Playgroups give this large-breed dog population the opportunity to do what they were made to do – run around, socialize, learn from each other, and show their personalities,” said Aimee Sadler, founder of Dogs Playing For Life. “This grant from the ASPCA and the Petco Foundation will have a great impact on the number of shelters and dogs who participate in our training and daily playgroup activities. We’re grateful to be supported by two organizations with such a long history of innovation and advocacy in animal welfare.”

“Dogs Playing For Life’s inventive approach will improve the quality of life of shelter dog populations and help defeat life-threatening stereotypes,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “We commend Dogs Playing For Life’s innovation and commitment, and are proud to work with the Petco Foundation to support this program’s expansion nationwide. This initiative has significant potential to help vulnerable canine populations, and we look forward to seeing the impact it has across the country.”

“It is amazing how something so simple – large dog playgroups – can be so transformational,” said Susanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation. “These playgroups not only showcase the positive, fun nature of these dogs, they force many people to rethink popular misconceptions that these dogs are not friendly with others. Additionally, playgroups create a better atmosphere for caring shelter staff who see these dogs romping happily in play instead of sitting alone in their kennels. Our goal is that dog playgroups become standard in shelters throughout the country, just like free roaming cat adoption rooms have become commonplace. We are excited to partner with the ASPCA and Dogs Playing For Life to change the face of animal sheltering throughout the nation and to help further the goal of creating lifesaving communities.”

To learn more about Dogs Playing For Life, please visit https://dogsplayingforlife.com.

For more information about the ASPCA, please visit www.aspca.org.

For more information about the Petco Foundation, please visit www.petcofoundation.org.

VIP Petcare partners with Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign

August 9, 2017

The following is a press release from NBCUniversal:

NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, today announced VIP Petcare returns as a repeat national sponsor of the NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ annual Clear the Shelters nationwide pet adoption campaign. VIP Petcare will donate more than $200 of preventive veterinary services to individuals that adopt a pet at this event. The $200 includes one free dose each of prescription flea/ tick and heartworm preventative medication.

Clear the Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption campaign that is spearheaded by NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. The stations’ Clear the Shelters annual pet adoption campaign has become a popular event for communities all throughout the country and includes the participation of hundreds of animal shelters. On Saturday, August 19, participating animal shelters will offer low cost or waived pet adoption fees. Since the effort was expanded nationally in 2015, the stations’Clear the Shelters efforts have resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions.

“VIP Petcare’s continued support of the NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ Clear the Shelterspet adoption campaign will ensure that our stations and partner shelters deliver a memorable event for communities and pet adopters all across the country,” said Bruce Kallner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales and Marketing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “We’re excited to work with a partner that values the importance of quality pet care and wellness and look forward to another successful Clear the Shelters day.”

VIP Petcare’s goal is to not only find forever homes for shelter and rescue pets, but to educate all pet owners on the importance of ongoing pet wellness care. The company is dedicated to keeping every pet healthy, happy and safe. Through a network of over 2700 clinics nationwide, VIP Petcare provides vaccinations, diagnostic testing, microchipping and other wellness veterinary care to pets and their parents.

“We are honored to sponsor Clear the Shelters for the second consecutive year,” said Will Santana, CEO and Founder of VIP Petcare. “Thousands of pets will find a home on August 19 and we are committed to ensuring they get a healthy start in their new life.”

For more information about the pet adoption campaign, visit ClearTheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtags #ClearTheShelters and #LoveMyPet. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.comand follow #DesocuparLosAlbergues and #AmoAMiMascota.

Petco signs on as sponsor of Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign

August 7, 2017

The following is a press release from Petco:

Petco returns as a national sponsor of NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations’ “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption campaign for a second consecutive year. On Saturday, August 19, 2017, Petco partners will be present at participating animal welfare organizations to answer questions from potential pet adopters and their families. Petco will also be distributing “Welcome to the Family” packets containing information for new pet parents along with coupons for pet supplies.

“Clear the Shelters” is a nationwide pet adoption campaign that is spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal that includes 30 NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. The stations’ “Clear the Shelters” third annual pet adoption campaign has become a popular event for communities nationwide and includes the participation of hundreds of animal welfare organizations. On August 19, participating animal shelters will offer low cost or waived pet adoption fees. The NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ third annual “Clear the Shelters” effort has helped to inspire local communities to take action and open their homes to animals in need. Since the effort was expanded nationally in 2015, the stations’ “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption campaign has resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions.

“Petco has been an fantastic partner to the owned stations and we’re excited to work with a company that is deeply committed to pet adoption issues and helping families have the resources and information they need to provide the best care to their newly adopted pets,” said Bruce Kallner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales and Marketing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “The Petco Foundation has also been a great supporter of our “Clear the Shelters” campaign and we’re pleased to work with a non-profit organization that shares our goal of matching homeless pets with new, permanent homes.”

“With more than 50 years in the pet specialty business, Petco understands and celebrates the importance of the incredible bond between pets and pet parents,” said Charlie Piscitello, chief people officer at Petco. “‘Clear the Shelters‘ allows us to extend our year-long animal adoption efforts and offers our immensely passionate store partners the ability to help even more families start out with the tools and knowledge they need to make their relationship with their new pet as rewarding as possible.”

Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge launches for 2017 to help North Shore Animal League

April 20, 2017

Andy Cohen Purina One Difference campaign — Andy Cohen engages with students while leading a lesson in New York on April 20, 2017. Along with a $20,000 donation to North Shore Animal League America’s Mutt-i-grees program, Purina ONE is partnering with Mutt-i-grees and Andy Cohen as part of its ONE Difference Campaign, which focuses on nourishing the lives of both students and shelter dogs across the country. (Photo by Amy Sussman/AP Images for Purina ONE)

From April 20 to May 31, 2017, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company will donate $10 (U.S. dollars) to the animal shelter/rescue organization North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) for each new consumer who registers for the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge subject to a maximum donation of $20,000. The Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge invites dog owners to their dog’s food to Purina ONE SMARTBLEND.

Andy Cohen’s rescue dog, Wacha, enjoys a Purina ONE lunch on in New York City on April 20, 2017. (Photo by Amy Sussman/AP Images for Purina ONE)

For the second consecutive year, the ONE Difference campaign will benefit NSALA’s Mutt-i-grees, a shelter-led academic curriculum that brings shelter dogs into classrooms and libraries, allowing students to engage with the pets while learning lessons in emotional competence, academic achievement and social awareness. According to a Purina press release, Mutt-i-grees was developed by The Pet Savers Foundation, an affiliate of NSALA and Yale University School of the 21^st Century. More than 4,000 schools and libraries nationwide participate in the program.

On April 20, 2017, Purina elebrated its ONE Difference campaign today with the help of television personality Andy Cohen and his former shelter dog Wacha. The Bravo executive/talk show host joined the brand and North Shore Animal League America at a library in New York City to name Wacha an honorary “Mutt-i-gree” for the day and help lead a lesson with area elementary school students.

American Humane donates $100,000 to 7 Louisiana animal shelters affected by 2016 floods

April 11, 2017

The following is a press release from American Humane:

Months after floodwaters from the devastating, record-breaking August 2016 flood have subsided, local animal shelters and rescue organizations in Louisiana are still struggling to repair damaged facilities and replenish diminishing funds that were stretched thin while ensuring the safety of animals under their care during the flood. To throw a critical lifeline to Louisiana’s shelters, American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization that has been rescuing animals in disasters and cruelty cases for more than 100 years, is awarding $100,000 in emergency grants over the course of this week to seven remarkable local shelters that did lifesaving work for so many animals during the disaster.

The grant money is being presented to each shelter at events spanning each of the five days this week. The schedule of events is as follows:

(All times listed are Central Time)

Monday, April 10, 2017:

Location of Event: St. Landry Parish Animal Control, 255 Hangar Road, Opelousas, Louisiana
Time of Event: 11:00 AM
Shelter Receiving Grant: St. Landry Parish Animal Control
Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $20,000
The $20,000 grant will allow for the repair of crumbling insulation and harmful drainage issues that caused the shelter to temporarily shutter its doors. The repairs needed are crucial for the safety of animal residents at the shelter—insulation from the damaged ceiling drops onto dog beds and in their food bowls, and drainage issues have caused a backwash of spills within the shelter kennels.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017:

Location of Event: City of Walker Animal Control, 13740 Ball Park Rd., Walker, Louisiana
Time of Event: 11:00 AM
Shelters Receiving Grants: City of Walker Animal Control and Dog People of Livingston
Grant Check Amounts from American Humane:
- City of Walker Animal Control: $16,000
- Dog People of Livingston: $13,000

Dog People of Livingston plans to use the $13,000 grant to host multiple free microchipping clinics, supply free collars and identification tags to pet owners, and lease digital billboard space on the highway to post pictures and information on pets lost in the parish.

City of Walker Animal Control shelter suffered water damage from the floods and other damages related to animal overcapacity. They plan to use the $16,000 grant from American Humane to repair water-damaged walls and treat for mold, replace damaged A/C units, and acquire additional caging to house more displaced and lost pets in the area.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Location of Event: CATNIP Foundation at Big Sky Ranch, 15442 Jack Fork Rd, Folsom, Louisiana
Time of Event: 11:00 AM
Shelter Receiving Grant: CATNIP Foundation at Big Sky Ranch
Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $18,000
The $18,000 grant will go directly toward the purchase of a Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) trailer, which will help prevent animal overpopulation and in turn, reduce euthanasia and suffering. The trailer will be used to safely transport large numbers of animals for spay and neuter services, as well for pet adoption in less populated areas of Louisiana.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Location of Event: CARA’s House, 9894 Airline Hwy., Sorrento, Louisiana
Time of Event: 11:00 AM
Shelter Receiving Grant: Companion Animal Rescue of Ascension (CARA)’s House
Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $7,000
The $7,000 grant will allow for the replacement of the shelter’s raised dog beds and cat housing, repairs to damaged storage buildings, and installation of new dog run fencing.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Location of Event: Jefferson Feed and Seed, 4421 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson, Louisiana
Time of Event: 11:00 AM
Shelter Receiving Grant: Humane Society of Louisiana
Grant Check Amount from American Humane: $23,000
The $23,000 grant will be used to create a “Disaster Response Staging Ground” at their 47-acre property in Washington parish. A portion of the large property will be made “incident ready” for short-term relief in large-scale cruelty investigations and disasters. When not in use for such purposes, the area will be used for temporary volunteer housing, special events, adoption days, and dog exercise yards.

Following the devastating flooding in Louisiana, American Humane sent its animal rescue team and two giant rescue vehicles to help pets in hard-hit Livingston Parish. They also worked with Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food to deliver 80,000 pounds of nutritious, free food to shelter animals in Louisiana. Now, to help support and rebuild these vital institutions, American Humane is providing $100,000 in grants this week.

“We are pleased that we can continue to aid the animals of Louisiana and help those who did so much to help thousands of dogs, cats, horses, and other vulnerable animals during the disastrous floods,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “We have been first to serve animals in disasters for 100 years and hope that these grants will serve to help many more in the future.”

Honda partners with spcaLA to help people adopt dogs

March 2, 2017

Carlos PenaVega in Honda's 2017 CR-V SUV campaign — Carlos PenaVega in Honda’s 2017 CR-V SUV campaign that promotes the car and dog adoption. (Photo courtesy of Honda)

Honda has teamed up with spcaLA in a campaign to help people adopt dogs. The campaign (which runs from March 2 to March 31, 2017) is also aimed at boosting awareness for the 2017 Honda CR-V SUV. According to a Honda press release, the promotion will be primarily on Honda’s Latino-oriented social channels, such as @HondaLatino Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The campaign incorporates the brand’s belief in “The Power of Dreams,” which has been a key theme throughout the CR-V’s marketing launch. Actor/singer Carlos PenaVega (formerly of the group Big Time Rush) stars in a series of three videos for the campaign. The dogs featured in the videos are pets from the spcaLA that are up for adoption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o5iSxr7oM8

Honda’s “CR-V Pet Adoption Drive” follows the CR-V’s “Best Friends” Spanish-language TV spot, which debuted on Fox Deportes during football’s big game in February, marking a first for Honda. The spot focuses on the notion that sometimes a dream means helping others realize theirs. It tells the emotional story of a young boy and his mom adopting a puppy together. Over time the boy and his dog develop a fun and loving relationship and the whole family comes together to train the dog. One day, they receive a call they’ve been expecting. In the final moments of the spot, it is revealed that the months-long training activities have been done so that they could gift the dog to another family as a service dog to help a child with special needs.

2017 Puppy Bowl: see all the cute photos and videos

February 6, 2017

Rory, the poodle mix that was voted Puppy Bowl XIII MVP. (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)

Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XIII was the first Puppy Bowl to air simultaneously on both coasts when it premiered on February 5, 2017 (Super Bowl Sunday) with three hours of puppies playing a mock football game. The inaugural Petco Lombarky trophy was awarded in Puppy Bowl XIII at Geico Stadium, a miniature set built for the TV show.

According to an Animal Planet press release, Puppy Bowl XIII kicked off at Geico Stadium with a special appearance by weather forecaster Mr. Punxsutawney Phil. The famous groundhog and two of his inner circle officiated the coin toss to start the game. This year’s Pedigree Starting Lineup boasted 39 puppies who also competed for the individual Bissell MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) by scoring the most touchdowns with dog-approved toys by Petco. This year’s Bissell MVP was Team Fluff’s Rory, a 17-week-old male poodle mix from Little Dog Rescue in Florida.

For the sixth year in a row, America’s favorite “ Rufferee,” Dan Schachner, returned to call the puppy penalties, furry fumbles and terrier touchdowns.Award-winning animal advocate and television correspondent Jill Rappaport introduced the Subaru Pup Close and Personal segments that highlight some of the heartwarming stories of the adorable athletes.

For Puppy Bowl XIII, Animal Planet worked with 34 different animal shelters and rescue organizations from across 22 states to fill the rosters of #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff with 78 adoptable players for this puppy pile-up. This year, the Bowl also featured three pups with special needs: Doobert (deaf), Lucky (three-legged) and Winston (hearing-and-sight impaired). One special player is drafted to play in Puppy Bowl XIII by celebrity dog Chunk Handler. Plus, viewers got to see the canines conduct their pre-game rituals when the cameras were allowed in the locker room.

While the puppies broke for a cat nap, the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Kitty Half-Time Show got underway with a performance by the feline musical group Chicago Rock Cats with Kitty Gaga singing “Puparazzi ” to her little monsters of adoptable rescue kittens.

The puppy teams added rescue mascots to their cheering section. Team Ruff gained the watchful eye of Orlando the Screech Owl, and Team Fluff recruited Muffin the Chinchilla who adds another layer of fluff. Getting the fans excited on the sidelines are rescue rabb its and guinea pig cheerleaders who hop into action. “Meep the Bird” got a ma keover and returned as a rescue African Gray Parrot. Meep talked sports with Geico The Gecko and live tweeted updates throughout the big game.

Plus, Puppy Bowl fans got a glimpse of celebrity dogs Chloe the Mini Frenchie, Chloe Kardoggian, Ella Bean, Marnie the Dog, Manny the Frenchie, Mervin the Chihuahua, Sometimes Carl and Toast Meets World with her siblings Muppets Revenge and Underpants the Dog who watched the biggest game of the year from the stands. As always, fans witnessed Puppy Bow’s water bowl cam, slow-motion playback cam and fan-favorite Dairy Queen kiss cam. Viewers won’t miss a minute of excitement with aerial shots of the field from the Sheba Sky Box, and Surge the Hamster was back on his wheel powering the Puppy Bowl score board.

Puppy Bowl Virtual Reality, sponsored by Pedigree, gave viewers a pup’s eye view of the action on the Geico grid iron through the eyes of Buttons, one of this year’s Puppy Bowl XIII players. Not letting her diminutive size hold her back when tackling opponents in a scrimmage spanning two video halves, Buttons played her way through the piles of puppies, chew toys and assistant coaches to score a winning touchdown.

On game day, puppy supporters were invited to vote in the Most Valuable Puppy poll . Viewer votes determined which heavenly hound gets barking rights and the title of Bissell MVP, which will be revealed at the end of the broadcast. Before and during the action, keep an eye out for guest takeovers on Animal Planet Instagram and Snapchat. This year’s roster includes players from AHeinz57 (Iowa), Big Fluffy Dog Rescue (Tennessee), Citizens for Animal Protection (Texas), Last Hope K 9 (Massachusetts), Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Florida), Mr. Bones & Company (New York), Nevada SPCA, Paw Works (California), Stray Rescue (Missouri), among others.

The ASPCA in New York provided adoptable kittens for the Kitty Half-Time Show; the cheerleading rescue rabbits and guinea pigs are from Luv-N- Bunns (Philadelphia) and Helping All Little Things (New Jersey). The chinchilla mascots were provided by Chin Friends Chinchilla Rescue (New York) and the owl flew in from Volunteers for Wildlife (Long Island). The African parrot was provided by Phoenix Landing rescue (Washington, DC).

(All photos courtesy of Animal Planet)

2017 Kitten Bowl: See all the cute photos and videos

February 6, 2017

Beth Stern and John Sterling (Photo by *Marc Lemoine/Crown Media United States, LLC)*

“Kitten Bowl” is an annual feline “catstravaganza” that airs on Super Bowl Sunday and is presented in association with North Shore Animal League America (the nation’s largest no-kill shelter and animal adoption organization) and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation. Hosted by Beth Stern, a TV personality and national spokesperson for North Shore Animal League America, “Kitten Bowl” is a star-studded lineup that includes legendary New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling and referee Chuck Nice. Hallmark Channel aired the fourth annual “Kitten Bowl” in the U.S. on February 5, 2017. Here are videos and photos from the event.

(All photos by Marc Lemoine/Crown Media United States, LLC)

SPCALA makes Animal Safety Net manual available as a free download

January 26, 2017

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) is now offering its Animal Safety Net (ASN) manual as a free download. It’s the first time since ASN’s inception in 1998 that the manual is being offered offered to humane organizations, prosecuting attorneys, and domestic violence professionals as a free, downloadable manual.

The ASN program is a way to help survivors of domestic violence keep their pets and leave their abusers. Since 1998, ASN says it has assisted more than 300 families and 500 pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, and rabbits. ASN provides veterinary care, nourishing food, behavioral enrichment and temporary safe shelter to animals in the program.

Available as a download, the spcaLA Animal Safety Net manual has what an organization needs to start their own ASN program. ASN has been making a difference in the Los Angeles community for nearly 20 years due to donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. ASN is not government-funded; nor is there a national SPCA or humane society that provides support.

The link between domestic violence, animal abuse, and child abuse is well-documented. According to ASN, 62 percent of its clients reported they would not have gone into a shelter, had they not been able to place their animal with spcaLA. They had good reason to fear for their pets’ safety; clients reported 23 percent of ASN pets had already suffered violence at the hands of their abusers. Knowing that their animal was safe and that reunification was possible helps survivors make it through a difficult time.

For more information, please contact Ana Bustilloz at 323-730-5300 x252, cell 323-707-1271 or [email protected].