2018 Meow MeetUp: cat fan event is the first of its kind in the Midwest

July 10, 2018

Lil Bub (Photo courtesy of IAmLilBub)

The following is a press release from Meow MeetUp:

Cat lovers are rejoicing as the first-ever Meow MeetUp hits Chicagoland on July 21-22! This two-day event is hosted by the popular blog, The Catnip Times, and is the largest cat-centric event to ever take place in the Midwest. Want to spend a day or two to celebrate cats and take part in ameowzingly fun feline activities that purromise to both entertain and enlighten? Then Meow MeetUp is for you.

 

Why an event for cat lovers?

“Until now, the Internet has been the only way for people to share their interest of cats with a large community of cat lovers. On July 21 and 22, that will change. Not only will this be an opportunity to be surrounded by folks that are crazy about our feline friends, but the two days will be filled with dozens of educational and fun activities,” said Lauren Mieli, The Catnip Times’ & Meow MeetUp Founder.

Chicago’s own Steve Dale of Steve Dale’s Pet World will give the Saturday keynote titled “How Cats are the Rodney Dangerfield of Pets.” On Sunday, Becky Robinson, President and Founder of Alley Cat Allies, will present “How to #LoveCatsMore.”  In addition, renowned veterinarians will be speaking on topics of interest to all cat owners, such as: the growing problem of cat obesity, how to deal with the loss of a pet, and debunking “kitty revenge” behavior.

Meow MeetUp also has fun activities and events to keep everyone entertained. Here are just a few:

  • The Cat Adoption Lounge, sponsored by PetComfort by WeatherTech. Scores of cats from Almost Home Foundation will be showcased and available for adoption to a loving, forever home.
  • The Kitty Yoga Studio, sponsored by Royal Canin, offers attendees the opportunity to relax and stretch with adoptable cats in a zen-like atmosphere.
  • The Cat Café, presented by Nulo Pet Food, features a jungle-themed cat café where participants will unwind with a “catpuccino,” enjoy other cat-themed refreshments, and play with or just observe some of the adoptable cats that will be present.
  • Lil BUB, (@iamlilbub), one of the Internet’s most popular cats with over 7 million followers will be available for Meet & Greets with 100% of the proceeds benefiting less fortunate pets. Also on hand for Meet & Greets will be local Instagram cat celebrities: Chuck the Duck, Eddie Meownster and Sinbad the Survivor.
  • A Feline Film Festival, Pampurr Pawlor Beauty Bar, Meow Mixer After Party, Breakfast & Kitty Bingo, Clicker Training, an Exhibit Hall and so much more…

Meow MeetUp is happening on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL from 9am – 5pm both days. General admission is $30 for adults, and $0-$15 for kids 12 and under. Be sure to avoid the fe-line and get your tickets online at www.meowmeetup.com then follow the feline fun using the event hashtag #meowmeetup

About The Catnip Times:
Since 2012, the iconic cat blog, “The Catnip Times” has helped cat owners strengthen their bond with their cats through educational and entertaining content. With nearly one million followers in over 130 countries, The Catnip Times is a leading voice in the global cat community.

2018 Cat Camp: Jackson Galaxy signs on as partner, adds name to event’s title

April 26, 2018

by Danielle Smith

(Photo courtesy of Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp)

The second annual Cat Camp, a fan convention/adoption event, takes place May 5 and May 6, 2018, at the Penn Plaza Pavilion in New York City. The event will feature cat adoptions, panel discussions, meet-and-greets and vendors selling cat-related items and services. Guest speakers/panelists are well-known cat enthusiasts involved in cat rescuing, spaying/neutering and adoptions. The Petco Foundation is a  presenting sponsor.

Here are some of the key differences between the event in 2018, compared to 2017:

New Partner: Cat expert Jackson Galaxy, host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat From Hell” and “Cat vs. Dog,” will be the keynote speaker and will do a meet-and-greet like he did in 2017. But in 2018, he has become a partner in the event, whose official title is now Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp. Cat Camp was co-founded by Christina Ha, owner of Meow Parlour, New York’s City first cat cafe, which opened in 2014. She is still a partner in Cat Camp.

New Location: The event has moved from the Metropolitan Pavilion to the larger Penn Plaza Pavilion in order to accommodate more people.

New Season: The 2017 Cat Camp took place in March at the tail end of the winter season, when it can still get very cold in New York City. Switching the event to May, a warmer month in spring (and just in time for kitten season), is a smarter choice and better for the event’s overall appeal.

New Pricing: The price of general admission for one adult has gone up from $10 to $25 per day, not including taxes and other additional fees. The price of general admission does not include access to the celebrity presentation panels or celebrity meet-and-greets. The meet-and-greets are separate ticketed events. In 2018, Galaxy, Hannah Shaw (also known as The Kitten Lady) and Lil Bub (with her owner Mike Bridavsky) are doing separate meet-and-greets on both days, so that means an attendee who wants to attend all meet-and-greets for Galaxy, Shaw and Lil Bub will have to pay for each meet-and-greet separately, with no discounts if you buy a ticket for more than one.

In 2018, that means Cat Camp admission for one adult for one day at this event can be as little as $25 (for general admission only) or as high as $300 for access to everything, including all three meet-and-greets. Multiply those numbers by two if you plan to attend on both days. The good news is that kids under the age of 6 still get free admission, but they must be accompanied by an adult with a Cat Camp ticket. There are also discounts for children ages 6 to 12.

While some people may have a problem with Cat Camp’s price of general admission nearly tripling in one year, the big jump in admission price probably has a lot to do with the fact that having the event at a bigger venue means a higher cost to do this event. The event organizers obviously want to make a profit, but they might want to consider getting celebrities who are more famous in order to justify the higher prices. For example, CatCon, the California rival to Cat Camp, has famous actors who are cat owners as part of its lineup. Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Kristen Bauer (“True Blood”) are part of the 2018 CatCon lineup, and CatCon has more celebrity names at about the same admission price as Cat Camp.

New Panelists: Returning guest speakers from the 2017 Cat Camp include “The Kitten Lady” Shaw and CatTown founder Adam Myatt. CatTown (located in Oakland, California) is the first permanent cat cafe in the United States.)

New panelists in 2018 include:

  • Dr. Carly Bloom of the Animal Medical Center
  • Sterling Davis, also known as Trap King, a trap/neuter/spay activist
  • Ingrid King, author of several cat books
  • Big Cat Rescue director of outreach Jennifer Leon
  • Kathleen O’Malley, founder NYC Feral Cat Initiative
  • Andrew Marttila, cat photographer/videographer (He also happens to be Shaw’s boyfriend, photographer and videoographer, so if you follow The Kitten Lady on social media, you’ve seen him and his work.)
  • Chris Poole, owner of celebrity cats Cole and Marmalade

Although this is an event for cat enthusiasts, the only cats allowed at Cat Camp are those that have been pre-approved for adoptions or guest appearances. In other words, people have to leave their pet cats at home (for legal and health reasons, obviously), and this policy will be strictly enforced, say event organizers.

2018 CatCon: celebrities, panelists, ticket sales announced

April 3, 2018

Cat Con

The following is a press release from CatCon:

CatCon®, the biggest cat-centric, pop culture experience in the world, announced their 2018 talent line-up, schedule, and tickets on sale today. The all-immersive cat-stravaganza will once again take place at the Pasadena Convention Center, Saturday, August 4, and Sunday, August 5, 2018, in Pasadena, California.

“CatCon is all about bringing the latest and greatest to our fantastic pet loving audience,” said creator Susan Michals. “For 2018, we wanted to showcase some amazing emerging talent, in addition to some of our returning and established favorites.” The (fe)lineup includes: Cats of Instagram, Cindy Congdon (@foster_kittens), New York Times bestselling author Gwen Cooper, actress and advocate Kristin Bauer (“True Blood” and “Once Upon a Time”), perma-kitten Lil BUB and her dude, Mike, author Mac DelaneyMerlin Ragdoll, Mick Szydlowski and Klaus (“Oskar and Klaus”), Moshow the Cat Rapper and Ravioli, Pudge the Cat, “Emily the Strange” creator, Rob Reger, Sir Thomas Trueheart‘Trap King’ Sterling Davis, Two Crazy Cat Ladies, and Waverly McTinybeans.  More to be announced.

UPDATE: “Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder is returning to CatCon in 2018 for a meet-and-greet.

Adoption will once again have a significant paw print, with Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA facilitating adoptions in the CatCon Adoption Village, in partnership with 9Lives® Cat Food and World’s Best Cat Litter. Over 150 curated exhibitors will also be onsite, selling products in the areas of design, art, fashion, accessories, toys, and more, for cats and their people. Rounding out the weekend’s activities are seminars, workshops, interactive experiences and evening events.

CatCon’s charity of record for 2018 is the Ian Somerhalder Foundation for the second year in a row. The convention will donate $2 of every general admission ticket sale to the Foundation; funds generated from Meet and Greets will also benefit ISF, as well as Lil BUB’s Big Fund, Milo’s Sanctuary, Kitt Crusaders, and Kitten Rescue. Full details can be found on CatCon’s ticketing page.

Sponsors for CatCon 2018 include: ASPCA®, CatGenie®, Halo® pet food, Litter Genie®, Modern Cat Magazine, 9Lives® Cat Food, VIP Pet Care, World’s Best Cat Litter, and The Westin Pasadena. More to be announced.

Ticket information, details on Meet and Greets, and a full schedule of events can be found here.

DATES:
Saturday, August 4: 9am – 5pm
Sunday, August 5: 10am – 5pm

About CatCon:
CatCon is the biggest experience of its kind, with 43,000 attendees to date. In the past three years, CatCon has donated $140,000 to organizations including the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, FixNation, Lil BUB’s Big Fund, Milo’s Sanctuary and Kitten Rescue, and helped to facilitate 327 adoptions onsite. Parent company Ticket Out Inc. also runs Cat Art Show, an exhibition series that has showcased some of the biggest names in the art world, including Shepard Fairey and Mark Ryden.

2018 Kitten Bowl: Hallmark Channel brings event to Super Bowl Live at Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis

January 22, 2018

Two-Tone Jones in “Kitten Bowl V” (Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel)

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

Hallmark Channel, America’s favorite family-friendly cable television network, is recreating Kitten Bowl  live in the Dayton Building of Nicollet Mall as part of the 10-day Super Bowl Live experience in Minneapolis, MN. Nearly 100 furry “cat-letes” will take the field over a 10-day period to see which team will be crowned Feline Football League champions and take home the coveted Hissman Trophy. This year’s show is truly unique as is it includes back stories about the rescues of some of the Cat-letes – including many from the devastation of Hurricane Irma. Viewers will also see some of kittens find their forever homes, on-set, at the end of the show. Kitten Bowl is part of Super Bowl Live from Friday, January 26 at 4 p.m. Central Time and through Sunday, February 4 at 3 p.m.

Fans coming to Kitten Bowl Live Presented by Hallmark Channel will be greeted by a life-like version of Rodney Peete, former NFL great and current Kitten Bowl play-by-play announcer, in the broadcast booth.

Rodney Peete and his wife, Holly Robinson Peete, stars of Hallmark Channel’s new family reality series “Meet the Peets” will make appearances on NFL Radio Row, January 31 (2-6 p.m.), February 1 (8 a.m.Noon), and February 2 (8 a.m.-Noon), and host media at Kitten Bowl Presented by Hallmark Channel at Nicollet Mall, January 31 (8 a.m. -Noon), February 1 (2-6 p.m.), February 2 (2-6 p.m.).

Fans will tour the Purr-king Lot for pre-game tailgating and the locker room where kittens chill before hitting the field.

Next, it’s on to Hallmark Channel Stadium to see kittens claw out a victory as the felines show off their best Stefon Diggs catches and leaps through the goal posts for extra points.

Fans will memorialize the experience at the Paws of Fame Trophy Room  and capture a photo worthy of social sharing in front of the MVK (“Most Valuable Kitten”) Wall. Snap a photo with former greats of the game: Tomcat Brady, Tabby Romo, Mew Brees, Joe Montuna, and more.

Kitten Bowl is an entertainment program produced by Hallmark Channel to bring awareness to the plight of homeless animals and to show the most beautiful animals in the world are available for adoption from your own local shelter.

The final stop on the tour is the Adoption Ever After room which features shelter pets from Minneapolis and surrounding areas who need a loving and forever home. A simple act of adoption helps to clear the shelters. Kittens on the field are provided by North Shore Animal League America and all furry players are available to be adopted.

For those who cannot make it to Minnesota there are 500 Kitten Bowl parties at local shelters all across the country. To find a Kitten Bowl Party near you go to www.hallmarkchannel/kitten-bowl. Have fun and do good! Come to the Kitten Bowl Presented by Hallmark Channel, January 26 – February 4. You just might bring home the love of your life.

“Kitten Bowl V,” a three-hour original special premieres on Hallmark Channel, Sunday, February 4 (Noon and 3 p.m. ET/PT).

Kitten Bowl host Beth Stern
“Kitten Bowl” host Beth Stern (Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel)

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

January 13, 2018

Hallmark Channel brings “Kitten Bowl V” on the road to Super Bowl LII as a major activation hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota for ten days leading up to the day of the big game. The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ TV Critics Association Winter Press Tour. Beginning Friday, January 26th through Sunday, February 4th, guests taking part in all the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl can celebrate Kitten Bowl, the nation’s most beloved rescue pet adoption event of the year. Fans who visit will see kittens compete on the field at Hallmark Channel Stadium, tailgate in the purr-king lot, tour the Paws of Fame trophy room, take a photo with the Hissman trophy and share their memories via social media. Guests will even be able to take home a souvenir: an official pack of “Kitten Bowl” trading cards. The major component of the activation is to support Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After campaign and, with the help of North Shore Animal League America, kittens will be available for adoption on site.

“Bringing ‘Kitten Bowl’ to the Super Bowl is a dream come true. We have seen the franchise grow tremendously in support of animal adoption over time, evolving from entertainment into America’s most beloved national rescue pet adoption event,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. “This is the first time Hallmark Channel will have a major media presence at the Super Bowl and the activation of ‘Kitten Bowl V’ will help elevate the network’s Adoption Ever After initiative of finding all animals forever homes.” The presence among the NFL and Super Bowl LII leads in to the kick-off of “Kitten Bowl V” premiering exclusively on the network, Sunday, February 4 (12 p.m. Eastern Time/Pacific Time). The 2018 version of “Kitten Bowl” features countless displaced kittens rescued from some of the country’s recent natural disasters of 2017, all of whom will be vying for the National Championship of Feline Football trophy – and a loving, forever home in which to display it.

TV personality, author and animal advocate Beth Stern hosts this year’s television event. Stern embodies the spirit of adoption in her everyday life, having fostered countless animals in need. Stern’s tireless, year-round efforts to find homes for animals makes her a synergistic fit to lead the charge for “Kitten Bowl V,” truly a super day of adorable pets. On the day of the big game, four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and Feline Football League Commissioner Boomer Esiason calls the play-by-play action making “Kitten Bowl V” super Sunday’s MUST-SEE viewing party. Hallmark Channel’s Dean Cain, Alison Sweeney and former NFL star Rodney Peete, animal lovers and adoption advocates, provide commentary throughout the event, in addition to heartwarming adoption stories.

North Shore Animal League America and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation rescued the 2018 team. “Kitten Bowl” is part of Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After pet initiative, which highlights the plight of homeless animals and the joys rescued and adopted pets bring into our lives.

Hallmark Channel unveils Adoption Ever After, a new initiative for homeless pets

January 13, 2018

Adoption Ever After

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

Hallmark Channel, the country’s leading provider of family friendly entertainment, announced today the rebranding of its corporate pet initiative with a new name, logo, and reinforced commitment to educating the public about the many rewards of pet adoption.  Originally launched as Pet Project in 2012, the campaign has been rebranded as Adoption Ever After, bringing the core call to action – adopt – to the forefront.  Working in collaboration with the country’s leading animal rescue and welfare organizations, activists, distribution and advertising partners, and celebrity influencers, Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After aims to dismantle common misconceptions about shelter animals, provide resources, inspire the public to adopt, and ultimately put an end to this country’s epidemic of pet homelessness. As Adoption Ever After grows, Crown Media will forge new partnerships with other companies and brands to raise awareness for shelter animals.

The first such partnership is with Bissell and Bissell Pet Foundation, which works tirelessly on their “Empty the Shelters” campaign.  Proving that highly successful brands can band together.  The hope is that this venture is the first of many alliances that will help clear the shelters.  “Every year, millions of perfectly healthy and lovable animals needlessly die in shelters – and while progress has been made in recent years, we still have a long way to go in the movement against pet homelessness,” said Crown Media Family Networks President & CEO, Bill Abbott.  “With Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After, we are honored to give these animals a platform, spark a national dialog about the importance of adoption, and save lives.”

The initiative includes such programming elements as “Kitten Bowl,” “Hero Dog Awards,” “American Rescue Dog Show” and daily pet adoption segments on “Home & Family,” as well as off-air elements, grassroots efforts, social media outreach and strategic partnerships.  In addition, Hallmark Channel’s two shelter pet mascots, Happy the Dog and Happy the Cat, continue to embody the beauty, intelligence and lovability of adopted pets on-air and through public appearances.

Ikea launches Lurvig product line for pets

October 17, 2017

Ikea's Lurvig products
Items in Ikea’s Lurvig product line for pets (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

Sweden-based  lifestyle company Ikea has launched a product line for pets called Lurvig, which is Swedish for “shaggy.”

Here are more details from an Ikea press release:

“I feel that my pets are the ones who can really take me to the present moment. When we share our time together, my head is more free, and other worries and stress fall away. They teach us respect, and their unconditional love is priceless.”

Ikea’s Lurvig designer Inma Bermudéz (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

If you’re a pet owner, designer Inma Bermudéz’s words might be something that rings true to you too. After all, our pets give us a lot, from that wagging tail that welcomes us home, to that calm company next to us on the sofa, or that unconditional love at every other time. If you ask us, we reckon it’s time to give them something back.

That’s why we brought in Inma to work on the LURVIG range, which is designed to help out all aspects of life with our dogs and cats. Not to mention be long lasting and affordable, while fitting in with your existing home furnishings.

As Inma says: “Our pets have their own personalities but they have five things in common: they love sleeping, eating, playing and exercising, and being close to us. So these behaviors have been the first thing on our minds when designing these products.”

DESIGNING FROM A PET’S PERSPECTIVE

(Photo courtesy of Ikea)

Of course designing products for pets, rather than humans, has its own set of rules and things to consider. To help out, the  LURVIG range was developed with the assistance of trained veterinarian Dr. Barbara Schäfer, who also works with product risk assessment at IKEA.
Barbara has an extensive background working with pets – from hamsters and rats all the way up to dogs and cats. She says the biggest challenge is not to “humanize” pet products.

“It’s really important to use an animal’s natural needs and
behaviors (like how they sleep, eat or play) as a starting point. Then we can design a product that fits in with our
human needs, such as style and form.”

The first thing to consider was safety:

“Dogs will definitely chew on their toys and bring in dirt from their daily walks. Cats will definitely scratch on most surfaces and are sensitive to smell and texture. So safe, durable  materials are very important.”

As well as looking at animal behaviors like eating.
“Cats are generally good at regulating how much food they eat, however a number of dog breeds still retain the desire to  overeat. That’s how the ‘slow feed’ bowl became part of the LURVIG range. By using a design that breaks up a bowl’s  internal surface area, it prevents the dog from being able to inhale their food in one or two gulps.”

MATCHING HUMAN DESIGN WITH PET DESIGN

(Photo courtesy of Ikea)

When watching your pet, how often do they go for the same toy or blanket, and return to a cozy spot to chew or maybe just have nearby as a comfort?

Rounding out the LURVIG design process was the focus that our pets live with us at home as part of the family — even if they do take the odd shoe or two.

For Inma, that led to a friendly-smelling bed.
“The piece that I’m most proud of is a pet cushion: we
encourage owners to fill it with their old clothes, blankets or towels. The idea is that pets get a comfortable cushion with comfortable, familiar smells too.”

CAT SCRATCH MAT

Cat scratch mat. W 9⅞×L 24¾”. Sisal/natural (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

With this cat scratching mat, you quickly and easily transform an ordinary table leg into a scratching tree, where your cat can both sharpen their claws and stretch.
You easily attach the cat scratching mat using the sewn-in straps.

 

 

CAT HOUSE ON LEGS

LURVIG Cat house on legs. W 13-15⅜×D 13×H 27⅛”. White.  (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
LURVIG Cat house on legs. W 13-15⅜×D 13×H 27⅛”. White. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

You can place the cat house on legs, hang it on the wall or slide the house into a KALLAX shelving unit. The cat house can also be used as a practical bedside table where the cat can crawl in and you can have small things close at hand on top. On the front side there’s a scratching wall where your cat can sharpen their claws. The opening is designed small to make your cat feel safe.

KALLAX INSERT

A cozy, safe and comfortable sleeping space that you can place on the floor or slide into a KALLAX shelving unit.
When you don’t need the box and want to save space, simply open the zipper in the bottom and fold it flat.

PET BEDFRAME

LURVIG Frame for pet bed. L 27¼×W 17½×H 9½”. White. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

You can use the frame in two different ways: as a cozy nook with medium-high walls or put it upside down to give your pet a clear view in all directions.

KLIPPAN PET BED

LURVIG Cat/dog bed. L 27½×W 26¾×H 11¾”. Black. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

You can quickly and easily create an even larger sleeping
space by folding out the seat cushion. The cover is easy to keep clean since it’s removable and can be machine washed.

SLOW FEED BOWL

LURVIG Slow-feed bowl. 41oz. Green. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)

The bowl stays in place since it has an anti-slip material
on the underside. The elevated part in the middle of the bowl ensures that your dog takes smaller bites, which reduces the risk of stomach pain.

 

 

Other Lurvig Products

PetSmart reports record-setting numbers for September 2017 adoption event

September 21, 2017

PetSmart
(Photo courtesy of PetSmart)

The following is a press release from PetSmart:

Last weekend, North Americans welcomed 30,269 adoptable pets into their hearts and homes during PetSmart Charities’ third National Adoption Weekend of 2017 hosted at 1,500-plus PetSmart stores across the continent, making it the most successful National Adoption Weekend event ever for the leading funder of animal welfare and leading pet specialty retailer. With the help of more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations across the U.S. and Canada, PetSmart and PetSmart Charities found homes for a wide variety of adoptable pets, including dogs, cats, and even small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

In preparation for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, animal welfare organizations across the country worked together to transport adoptable shelter pets from Florida and Texas to other areas of the country to help free up shelter space in the communities that were in the hurricanes’ paths. That way, pets displaced or left homeless by these storms would have access to shelter, food and veterinary care while they wait to be reunited with their pet parents and families.

Several of PetSmart Charities’ animal welfare partners, such as Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Md., were able to bring adoptable pets from the southern U.S. to their East Coast community through pet transport programs. Not only did this make more room in Florida and Texas animal shelters, but it also gave the recently relocated pets a great chance at finding a forever home since adoption demand in many east coast states like Maryland is high.

“During times of natural disasters like the recent hurricanes, it’s inspiring to see how the animal welfare community and pet parents come together. While PetSmart Charities is always focused on getting more pets out of shelters through successful adoption events like the one hosted this past weekend, during times of natural disaster, it’s even more important to clear shelter space and assemble resources animal welfare agencies are going to need to care for pets displaced during the storms,” says David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D. and president of PetSmart Charities.  “By adopting a pet this past weekend, not only did families give a shelter pet the forever home they deserve, but unbeknownst to them, they also had a hand in helping rescues and shelters to care for, assist and reunite pets and pet parents impacted by the hurricanes.”

Pet Parents Supporting Pets in Need

Many pet parents and animal welfare organizations across North America are looking for ways to help pets affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. To provide additional support to pets and pet parents in need, PetSmart stores invited shoppers to donate pet supplies and food to local animal welfare partners. In all, a record-setting 615,000-plus items from stores across the U.S. and Canada were donated to support pets in need. Donations will support pets in local communities, as well as emergency relief efforts following the historic hurricanes along the Gulf Coast and wildfires along the West Coast.

# # #

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 55,000 associates, operate more than 1,500 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as pet-focused services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart® Doggie Day Camp® and pet adoption. PetSmart, together with non-profits PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, invite more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 7.6 million adoptions – more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. The company’s portfolio of digital resources for pet parents includes PetSmart.com, OnlyNaturalPet.com, petMD.com, Pawculture.com, AllPaws, an online pet adoption platform that helps potential pet parents find the perfect pet to adopt based on their home, family and lifestyle, as well as BlogPaws, the world’s first pet blogger and influencer network. Through these digital platforms, PetSmart offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, PetSmart launched its philanthropic Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program in March 2017, see petsmart.com/giveameal for details. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.

Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart

See PetSmart on Instagram: @PetSmart

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart

See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

Turn your passion for pets into a career you’ll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities.

About PetSmart Charities®

PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization with a mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. In addition to finding homes for almost 500,000 shelter pets each year through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities provides funding to non-profits aligned with its mission through four key areas of grant support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets; and Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the pin pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores.  In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 90 cents of every dollar donated and has become the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, donating about $300 million to date. PetSmart Charities, a 501(c)(3) organization, has received the Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator, an independent organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 14 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs

Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmartCharities

See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: www.youtube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

American Humane’s tips for pet owners before, during and after a storm

August 28, 2017

Hurricane season is underway, and the year 2017 is expected to have record-setting hurricane devastation.  Here are American Humane’s tips for pet owners on what to do before, during and after a hurricane or other major storm:

Before the storm

  • NEVER leave animals behind. Review your evacuation plans and know a safe place where your pets can go if you need to evacuate. Evacuation destinations may include a friend or family member’s home, going to a pet-friendly hotel, or temporarily housing your pet(s) at a boarding facility. Plan multiple routes to your safe destination.
  • Microchip your pets and properly affix a tag on your pet’s collar with your name, address and cellphone number so they may be returned quickly in case you are separated from your pets. Update your microchip registrations and pet license information to ensure its current and consider including the name and contact information of an out-of-area contact just in case you are unreachable in a disaster zone.
  • Tie down or anchor outside objects that might fly about and injure someone.
  • Double-check your disaster preparedness kit for your pets (e.g., First Aid kit, leashes, and pets’ carrying cases, bowls, sanitation materials, chew toy, minimum 3 days, ideally 7-10 days of food, meds, water).
  • Evacuate your family and pets as early as you can and remember to take your family and your pet’s disaster preparedness kit if you do leave.
  • Bring children and pets inside; bring outdoor animals inside with a carrier ready large enough to turn around and lie down comfortably.
  • Have a carrier and leashes at the ready.
  • If your family must evacuate, ALWAYS take your pets with you.

During the storm….if you cannot evacuate

  • Choose a safe room for riding out the storm—an interior room without windows – and take your entire family there, including your pets.
  • Stay with pets. If crated, they depend on you for food and water.
  • Keep your emergency kit in that room with you (food, water, litter, meds).
  • Know your pet’s hiding places. That’s where they may run; keep them with you.
  • Secure exits and cat doors so pets can’t escape into the storm.
  • Do not tranquilize your pets. They’ll need their survival instincts should the storm require that.

After the storm

  • Make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assess damages before allowing children or animals out.
  • Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier, and children close at hand. Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.
  • Give pets time to become re-oriented. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to become confused or lost.
  • Keep kids and animals away from hazards such as downed power lines and water that may be contaminated.
  • Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet’s behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their own home.

Snapchat gets involved with 2017 Clear the Shelters campaign

August 17, 2017

NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal today announced that Snapchat will feature content from the stations’ Clear the Shelters third annual nationwide pet adoption campaign in its “Stories” section on Saturday, August 19. Videos and snaps of users with their pets and participating animal shelters will be featured in the app’s special Clear the Shelters “Stories” section this weekend. In addition, audiences all across the country will be able to activate Snapchat filters that will complement the stations’ pet adoption campaign.

Clear the Shelters is a first-of-its-kind pet adoption campaign that is spearheaded by NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. The stations’ pet adoption initiative includes the participation of more than 75 NBC and Telemundo stations, and nearly one thousand animal shelters across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. The campaign’s robust social media campaign #ClearTheShelters, #DesocuparLosAlbergues has already garnered support from various celebrities including Kristen Bell from NBC’s The Good Place, model Kate Upton, and Telemundo’s Carmen Villalobos, to name a few. On Clear the Shelters day 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 pet adoption campaign has resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions.

“We’re excited to partner with Snapchat to offer audiences an entirely new way to stay up-to-date with all the wonderful pet adoption stories that we’ll be sharing from our Clear the Shelters events this weekend,” said Lora Dennis, Senior Vice President of Digital Media, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Clear the Shelters has become a summer tradition for many communities and we cannot wait for audiences to watch all the fun videos and snaps and also join our social media campaign.”

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

VIP Petcare partners with Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign

August 9, 2017

VIP Pet Care

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.

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