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2019 American Rescue Dog Show: Hallmark Channel expands show to two nights; see photos and videos

January 28, 2019

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

Hallmark Channel’s second annual “2019 American Rescue Dog Show” presented by Pedigree premieres as an expanded, two-night event, Sunday, February 17 and Monday, February 18 (8 p.m. ET/PT) on Hallmark Channel. The special focuses the spotlight on various breeds adopted from shelters and rescue organizations across the country vying for top dog in the world’s most adorable categories. The “2019 American Rescue Dog Show” is hosted by Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, who are joined by co-hosts Ross Mathews and Larissa Wohl as they cover all the action ringside and backstage. Guest judges are pet rescue advocates Bill Berloni, Debbie Gibson, Brandon McMillan, Mike Rowe and Lisa Vanderpump.

The “2019 American Rescue Dog Show” will once again highlight the heartfelt traits and benefits of mixed breeds and rescued purebreds, including Afghan Hounds, Corgis, Golden Retrievers, Huskies and many more. Categories include Best in Couch Potato, Best in Wiggle Butt, Best in Underbite, Best in Talking, Best in Snoring, Best in Senior, Best in Short ‘n Sweet, Best in Special Needs, Best in Smiling and Best in Belly Rubs. The top 10 dogs will face off in the finals where one proud pooch will be crowned Best in Rescue. In addition to the competition ring, the show will highlight the importance of fostering homeless dogs and adopting from local animal organizations.

The mission of the “2019 American Rescue Dog Show” is to celebrate rescue dogs in a personality-driven competition. The goal of the show is to shine a light on these incredible pets and inspire viewers to adopt their next dog from their local shelter or rescue organization. Whether already in homes or waiting to be adopted, these dogs are all heart and full of personality.

As the presenting sponsor, Pedigree is closely aligned to the show’s mission. The Pedigree brand has worked tirelessly to help support the transformation of shelter dogs into pets with loving, forever homes by donating good food for the cause, and millions of dollars through the Pedigree Foundation to shelters and rescues across the country. To that end, Pedigree Foundation will provide a total of $100,000 in grants to the winners’ shelters or rescues.

Serving as the show’s official mascot is the network’s own rescued and adopted pet, Happy the Dog. In addition to starring in movies and specials, Happy the Dog is a certified therapy dog and emotional support animal.

“2019 American Rescue Dog Show” is produced by Michael Levitt Productions. Executive Producers Michael Levitt and Jennifer Schulz are both animal advocates and rescuers whose lives are dedicated to increasing awareness of pet adoption. Levitt, an accomplished TV producer, and Schulz, a communications professional for pet brands and organizations, joined forces to create a show that is both entertaining and heart-warming. Their goal is to celebrate rescue dogs with the hope of inspiring Hallmark Channel viewers to adopt their next pet. Throughout the show, Adopt-a-Pet.com will be showcased as a great resource for viewers to find their next pet.

About the Pedigree Brand

The Pedigree Brand is the number one brand of dog food and treats in the world, feeding more dogs than any other brand. The Pedigree Brand offers a wide variety of products and formats for dogs at every life stage. The Pedigree brand is built on an unwavering glove for all dogs and a commitment to dog adoption. For more information, please visit www.Pedigree.com.

About Pedigree Foundation

Formed in 2008 by Mars Petcare, the makers of Pedigree food for dogs, Pedigree Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Through no fault of their own, nearly 3.5 million dogs end up in shelters and rescue organizations every year, and nearly half of them never find a home. Pedigree Foundation helps increase dog adoption rates with grants and best practices that support the good work of shelters and dog rescue organizations throughout the United States. Its vision is a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved. For more information on how you can support the foundation, visit www.PEDIGREEFoundation.org

About Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After

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 create a future where every pet has a loving home. The initiative shines a spotlight on the countless lovable pets in our nations shelters through annual on-air programming specials like Kitten Bowl, Hero Dog Awards, and The American Rescue Dog Show, as well as strategic partnerships, consumer marketing campaigns, public service announcements, and grassroots efforts.

Larissa Wohl at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

Lisa Vanderpump and Rebecca Romijn at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

Ross Matthews (pictured at right) at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

Larissa Wohl (pictured at right) at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

A corgi at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

Ross Matthews, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell and Larissa Wohl at the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Photo by Kim Nunneley/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC)

Ashley Judd, Bryce Dallas Howard embody family love for pets in ‘A Dog’s Way Home’

January 11, 2019

Jonah Hauer-King and Ashley Judd in “A Dog’s Way Home” (Photo by James Dittiger)

The dramatic film “A Dog’s Way Home” chronicles the heartwarming adventure of Bella (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard), a dog who embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human. The film, which is directed by Charles Martin Smith, has a cast that includes Jonah Hauer-King as Lucas and Ashley Judd as Lucas’ single mother Terri, who are Bella’s owners; Alexandra Shipp as Olivia, Lucas’ co-worker who is with Lucas when they find her as a stray puppy; and Edward James Olmos as Axel, a homeless veteran who takes ownership of Bella during her journey. The adult Bella is played by Shelby, a mixed breed that in real life was a stray dog rescued from an animal shelter. “A Dog’s Way Home” opens in North American cinemas on January 11, 2019. Here are photos and videos from the movie:

A scene from “A Dog’s Way Home” (Photo by James Dittiger)

Lucia Walters in “A Dog’s Way Home” (Photo by James Dittiger)

Jonah Hauer-King in “A Dog’s Way Home” (Photo by James Dittiger)

Netflix reveals details of docuseries ‘Dogs’

October 29, 2018

A scene from "Dogs" (Photo courtesy of Netflix) — A scene from “Dogs” (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

The following is a press release from Netflix:

“Dogs” launches globally on Netflix on November 16, 2018. An elegant, engaging and cinematic verite documentary series celebrating the deep emotional bonds between people and their beloved four-legged best friends. The series tracks six incredible stories from across the globe including Syria, Japan, Costa Rica, Italy and the U.S.—each proving that the unconditional love one feels for their dog is a beautiful universal truth. With episodes helmed by critically acclaimed directors including: Academy Award-nominated Amy Berg (“Deliver Us From Evil”), Academy Award-winning Roger Ross Williams (“Life Animated,” “Music by Prudence”), Academy Award-nominated Heidi Ewing (“Jesus Camp,” “One of Us”), Emmy Award-winning Richard Hankin (“The Jinx”) and Academy Award-winners T.J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay (“Undefeated”), “Dogs” takes us on an inspirational journey exploring the remarkable, perhaps even magical qualities that have given these animals such a special place in all of our hearts.

“Dogs” is a Netflix Original Documentary Series, developed as a documentary series by Glen Zipper with Academy Award-nominated Amy Berg of Disarming Films and Zipper, of Zipper Bros Films, serving as executive producers.

Episode 1: The Kid with a Dog

Directed by: Heidi Ewing (“Jesus Camp,” “One of Us”)

Corrine, an 11 year old girl who suffers from traumatic seizures, is forever changed when she meets Rory, a certified dog who has been trained to detect oncoming seizures. This episode highlights the depths of a closely formed friendship between a child and their dog, the unbreakable trust they have in each other and the incredible power of a dog’s ability to assist humans in health and wellness.

Episode 2: Bravo, Zeus

Directed by: Amy Berg (“Deliver Us From Evil”)

Two years after fleeing his home in war-torn Syria, Ayham has made a new home for himself in Germany. He cannot feel at peace however, until he is reunited with his best friend, a Siberian Husky named Zeus. Ayham and his friends risk everything they have to bring Zeus across the border from Syria to Lebanon in the hopes of ultimately being reunited in Germany.

Episode 3: Ice on the Water

Directed by: Richard Hankin (“The Jinx”)

In a picturesque town off of Lake Como, Italian fisherman Alessandro relies on his partner, Ice, a 10-year-old Labrador to help with the family business as they get ready for the busy tourist season. The fishermen in town struggle, but Ice continues to stand guard and do all he can, even in the coldest winter months.

Episode 4: Scissors Down

Directed by: Roger Ross Williams (“Life Animated”)

In Japan, people’s relationships with their dogs is on a whole new level. Dogs are dressed in clothing to match their owners and the craft of dog grooming is a true artform. This episode follows two of the world’s most renowned dog groomers as they fly to California to compete in the ultimate dog grooming competition.

Episode 5: Territorio de Zeguates

Directed by: T.J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay (“Undefeated,” “LA 92”)

Territorio de Zeguates is a sanctuary deep in the Costa Rican rainforest that houses thousands of dogs and saves them from living on the streets. But with that many dogs, how long can the organization sustain without running out of resources? The people who run the shelter dedicate their lives to making these dogs lives better, even at their own expense.

Episode 6: Second Chances

Directed by: Amy Berg (“Deliver Us From Evil”)

New York City has a love affair with adopting dogs. There are more dogs in New York than there are people in the city of Cleveland—and thousands of them are rescues. This episode follows every step of this adoption ecosystem through the charity Hearts and Bones as they go on a rescue mission to bring dogs from a kill shelter in the south to the Big Apple for a better life.

Follow DOGS:

Instagram: @netflixdogs

Alamo Drafthouse celebrates National Dog Day by bringing back ‘Isle of Dogs’ with previously unseen footage

August 9, 2018

A still from "Isle of Dogs" (Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures) — A still from “Isle of Dogs” (Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Alamo Drafthouse is going to the (isle of) dogs.

On August 26, 2018, 25 Alamo Drafthouse theaters will celebrate National Dog Day with special encore presentations of Fox Searchlight’s 2018 stop-motion insta-classic “Isle of Dogs.” The screenings will be followed by a conversation recorded exclusively for this event between visionary writer/director Wes Anderson and “Isle” co-star Bob Balaban.

Tickets are on sale now for screenings at Alamo Drafthouse locations across the country. Ten percent of all ticket sales for this event will be donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), a national non-profit organization that has advocated for animal welfare since 1866. For purchases made on drafthouse.com or through the Alamo Drafthouse app, guests will be able to make additional donations to ASPCA.

“What a combination: the ASPCA, Alamo Drafthouse, and Mr. Bob Balaban,” says Wes Anderson. “I leapt at the chance to be a part of this little shindig and share our movie during its last days on the big screen.”

Fans will get an exclusive insight into Anderson’s process and discover behind-the-scenes details in a freewheeling cross-continental conversation between the director and Balaban that’s set to be recorded in late August.

“This year ‘Isle of Dogs’ had one of the most successful Alamo Drafthouse runs ever,” says Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO. “So we’re honored to work with Wes and Bob to be able to make this event happen, and benefit the work of the fine people at the ASPCA.”

“We’re pleased to partner with Alamo Drafthouse on this National Dog Day project that celebrates the special bond between people and animals,” said Christina Wyman, Senior Director, ASPCA Cause Partnerships. “All animals deserve strong voices to represent them, whether that voice comes from famous actors in a movie or average people committed to animal welfare in the real world.”

“Isle of Dogs” with Wes Anderson Event Details

Menu specials
By popular demand, select Alamo Drafthouse locations will be bringing back popular drink menu items from the original run of “Isle of Dogs” like the beloved Trash Island Shake, featuring rich vanilla ice cream, a sweet ‘n salty ‘n frosty mix of peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, caramel, popcorn, Oreos, and Cocoa Puffs.

Special giveaways
Each Alamo Drafthouse location will give away a rare set of finely-detailed “Isle of Dogs” figures to one lucky audience member. Each set of these highly-coveted collectibles (that aren’t available in stores) features the five main dogs and the main character, Atari.

Locations
Tickets are on sale right now at the following participating Alamo Drafthouse locations at drafthouse.com/show/national-dog-day-isle-of-dogs or via the Alamo Drafthouse app on iOS and Android.

About “Isle of Dogs”
Visionary director Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to vast Trash Island, Atari sets off in search of his bodyguard dog, Spots. With the assistance of his newfound mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. The film features an all-star cast voicing the dog and human characters including Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Kunichi Nomura, Akira Takayama, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Akira Ito, Scarlett Johansson, Harvey Keitel, F. Murray Abraham, Yoko Ono, Tilda Swinton, Ken Watanabe, Mari Natsuki, Fisher Stevens, Nijiro Murakami, Liev Schreiber, and Courtney B. Vance.

Fans can add “Isle of Dogs” to their digital collection on Movies Anywhere or purchase the Blu-ray and DVD, available in stores now.

Alamo Drafthouse links
Facebook facebook.com/AlamoDrafthouse
Twitter twitter.com/alamodrafthouse
YouTube youtube.com/alamodrafthouse
Instagram instagram.com/drafthouse
Website drafthouse.com

About Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was founded in 1997 as a single-screen mom and pop repertory theater in Austin, TX. Twenty-one years later, with 36 locations and counting, Alamo Drafthouse has been called “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired. Alamo Drafthouse has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star-studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. Alamo Drafthouse continues to expand its brand in new and exciting ways, including Birth.Movies.Death., an entertainment content platform for movie lovers, and the American Genre Film Archive, a non-profit film archive dedicated to preserving, restoring and sharing film.

2018 Clear the Shelters: Jane Lynch set to host NBC special

July 16, 2018

The following is a press release from NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations:

NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, today announced its fourth annual pet adoption campaign Clear the Shelters™ returns next month with NBC’s Jane Lynch joining the pet adoption campaign as spokesperson and host of a special “Clear the Shelters” show that will air next month. Launching in August and culminating with Clear the Shelters™ day on Saturday, August 18, the fourth annual Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption campaign will include the participation of NBC and Telemundo stations in more than 70 markets plus more than 600 animal shelters and rescues. On Saturday, August 18, shelters and rescues will reduce or waive pet adoption fees to help families adopt a new pet.

“Clear the Shelters has become a memorable event that communities look forward to every summer. We’re excited to work with our shelters partners once again to help families find their perfect pet. We also look forward to working with Jane to help raise even more awareness about animals needing homes,” said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.

An Emmy® Award and Golden Globe® Award winner, host of NBC’s hit show “Hollywood Game Night,” successful actor and advocate of pet adoption issues, Lynch has four rescue dogs of her own including her two 11-year old dogs “Millie” a Pit-Shepherd mix and “Bernice” a Cocker Spaniel, as well as one-year old Cocker Spaniel “Rumi” and “Arbuckle” a seven-year old Australian Cattle dog that is an internet and social media sensation with more than 71,000 followers on Instagram @allaboutarbuckle.

“I am so looking forward to clearing the shelters with NBC and Telemundo stations! Every pet deserves a loving human and nothing loves a human more than rescue pets!,” added Lynch.

This August, Lynch work with the NBC and Telemundo stations to help raise awareness about the fourth annual Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption campaign and the importance of pet adoption. Lynch will also host a special show that will recap this year’s pet campaign. The special show will air on NBC stations on August 25 (check local listings).

Launched nationally in 2015, NBC and Telemundo stations’ Clear the Shelters™ campaign has resulted in the adoption of more than 150,000 pets. Last year, the Clear the Shelters™ campaign resulted in pets of all types finding new homes. In San Diego, rabbits “Midnight” and “Cocoa” were adopted by two girls while in Massachusetts, goats, pigs and even horses were adopted. In addition, numerous celebrities and news personalities participated in the third annual Clear the Shelters™ social media campaign including Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler, Mario Lopez, NBC’s Kristin Bell, E!’s Christine Evangelista, Veronika Obeng, Olivia Pierson, Natalie Halcro, Tyler Henry, Justin Sylvester and Carissa Culiner, Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo host Maria Celeste, Telemundo stars Carmen Villalobos and Ximena Duque, model Kate Upton, Sex and the City’s Kristin Davis, and actress Gabourey Sidibe, among many others.

For more information and news about the NBC and Telemundo stations’ Clear the Shelters™ ® pet adoption campaign including participating shelters/rescues, visit CleartheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #CleartheShelters. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparlosAlbergues.com and follow #DesocuparlosAlbergues. Since 2015, more than 150,000 pets have been adopted through Clear the Shelters™, an initiative spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. Clear the Shelters™ is sponsored nationally by Cat’s Pride® and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

About NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations is the division of NBCUniversal that includes 38 NBC and Telemundo local television stations serving 26 markets, a regional news network and their associated websites and digital platforms, as well as a group of out-of-home properties, a production company, an in-house marketing and promotions company and two national multicast networks, COZI TV and TeleXitos. The local stations, which can be viewed in 37 percent of U.S. homes and in Puerto Rico, produce and deliver their local communities compelling and unique local news, real-time weather forecasts, consumer and investigative reports and entertainment programming across all platforms to help keep their English and Spanish-speaking audiences informed anytime and anywhere.

Wag! and Lindsey Vonn’s dogs are searching for Top Dog Mom of the Year

April 27, 2018

Lindsey Vonn with her dogs Leo, Lucy, and Bear. (Photo courtesy of Wag!)

The following is a press release from Wag!:

Wag!, the country’s largest on-demand mobile dog walking and dog care app, is doing a national search for the Top Dog Mom of the Year, to be announced this Mother’s Day. The contest judges are three lucky pups who call Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsey Vonn their mom. Bear and Leo Vonn were rescued by the alpine ski racer.

Whether a dog mom has rescued dozens of pups or takes astonishing care of just one special dog, Wag! and the Vonn Dogs want to hear about an amazing pet parent who deserves to be called Top Dog Mom. The winner will receive a Mom’s Day Off Prize Package, comprised of a $1,000 grant provided by Wag! to an animal-welfare organization of the winner’s choice, 15 free Wag! walks, a bundle of dog toys and supplies valued at $100, and a $500 Spafinder gift card.

“I love being a mom to Lucy, Bear and Leo,” said Vonn. “I know there are tons of incredible dog mothers out there, and I can’t wait to see the nominations and see who my dogs pick as the winner!”

Bear Vonn, a chow retriever rescue dog, added: “I can’t wait to see the pics and videos of the Best Dog Mom nominees, although it’ll be hard to beat ours.” Leo Vonn, a mutt, barked his agreement.

“This Mother’s Day, we want to recognize great dog moms for their hard work,” said Wag! CEO Hilary Schneider. “As the mom of three humans and two dogs, I know exactly how appreciated a moment of peace can be.”

The contest launches April 27 and closes May 10. The finalists and the winner will be announced on May 13, Mother’s Day. Any dog mom is eligible to be nominated. To nominate a potential Dog Mom of the Year, click here.

About Wag!
Founded in January 2015, Wag! is an on-demand mobile app that gives pet parents more flexibility to manage everyday life and care for their dogs by giving instant access to experienced and trustworthy dog walkers, sitters, and boarders in their local community. Wag! walks are insured and bonded and every walker has passed a thorough vetting process before being invited to walk dogs on the platform. Wag! is a proud sponsor of the Rescue Bank and donates proceeds from every Wag! walk to provide meals to shelter dogs nationwide. Wag! also partners directly with local shelters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.

2018 Puppy Bowl: see all the cute photos and videos

February 4, 2018

Puppy Bowl XIV (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)

The following is a press release from Animal Planet:

PUPPY BOWL, the cutest competition in sports history, returned to Animal Planet on February 4, 2018, for an epic matchup between adoptable puppy players from #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff who go paw to paw and nose to nose to win the CHEWY.COM “Lombarky” PUPPY BOWL XIV trophy. PUPPY BOWL XIV aired simultaneously on both coasts, featuring two hours of fuzzy faces, sloppy kisses, incredible interceptions, puppy penalties and hard-won touchdowns. After the pup-tastic game of ear pulls and tail tugs is over, all the PUPPY BOWL puppy players end up as winners when they find their forever homes.

PUPPY BOWL XIV was played at the all-new bone-shaped GEICO^® stadium which features more than a dozen cameras, including those embedded in the end zone pylons, to help get audiences closer to the PUPPY BOWL action than ever before. The game kicked off with Jokgu the piano playing chicken from Season 12 of America’s Got Talent pecking out “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the keyboard as an adorable blended bunch of baby barnyard cheerleaders, including ducklings, piglets and baby bunnies, help excite fans on the sidelines throughout the game.

For PUPPY BOWL XIV, Animal Planet worked with 48 different animal shelters and rescue organizations from 25 U.S. states and territories, to fill the rosters of #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff with 90 adoptable players for this puppy pile-up – the most puppies and shelters in PUPPY BOWL history. With the help of DNA testing conducted by WISDOM PANEL™, these puppy athletes go beyond fur-deep to find out what they’re really made of and use it to their advantage.

PUPPY BOWL XIV features pups rescued from areas that were devastated by natural disasters in 2017, including Houston, Puerto Rico and Florida. A Pit Bull puppy player from Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest Pit Bull rescue in the U.S., is also featured in PUPPY BOWL XIV with Marcel from Pit Bulls & Parolees. Other special needs puppy players this year include, among other players, Ryder (a sight-impaired Husky), Chance (a deaf Dalmatian), Moonshine (a sight-impaired and deaf Border Collie) and Luna (a Pomeranian mix with a cleft palate), who won’t let anything stop them from trying to score the winning touchdown and a loving forever home.

Animal Planet audiences can learn more about the shelters, rescues and organizations that participated in PUPPY BOWL XIV by visiting https://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/.

Puppy Bowl XIV (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)

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.

2018 Puppy Bowl: new Geico stadium, debut of first Dog Bowl

January 5, 2018

The following is a press release from Animal Planet:

PUPPY BOWL, the cutest competition in sports history, returns to Animal Planet on Feb. 4 for an epic matchup between adoptable puppy players from #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff who go paw to paw and nose to nose to win the CHEWY.COM “Lombarky” PUPPY BOWL XIV trophy. PUPPY BOWL XIV will air simultaneously on both coasts when it premieres Sunday, Feb. 4 at 3PM/ET 12PM/PT featuring two hours of fuzzy faces, sloppy kisses, incredible interceptions, puppy penalties and hard-won touchdowns. After the pup-tastic game of ear pulls and tail tugs is over, all the PUPPY BOWL puppy players end up as winners when they find their forever homes.

PUPPY BOWL XIV will be played at the all-new bone-shaped GEICO^® stadium which features more than a dozen cameras, including those embedded in the end zone pylons, to help get audiences closer to the PUPPY BOWL action than ever before. The game kicks off with Jokgu the piano playing chicken from Season 12 of America’s Got Talent pecking out “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the keyboard as an adorable blended bunch of baby barnyard cheerleaders, including ducklings, piglets and baby bunnies, help excite fans on the sidelines throughout the game.

The tail-gating starts with the PUPPY BOWL Pre-Game Show at 2PM ET/11AM PT, featuring aww-nalysis and cuddly commentary from sports anchor James Hound with Rodt Weiler and Sheena Inu serving as pregame show analysts. The competitive canines will conduct their pre-game rituals from the PUPPY BOWL locker room, which includes an all-new locker room webcam. Additionally, Gordon Setter and Greta Dane will serve as pre-game field correspondents.

This year’s PEDIGREE^®Starting Lineup will compete for the individual BISSELL^® MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) award by scoring the most touchdowns with dog-approved toys by CHEWY.COM. And for the seventh consecutive year, America’s favorite rufferee, Dan Schachner, returns to call the puppy penalties, furry fumbles and terrier touchdowns, as his assistant referee this year, Shirley the rescue sloth, will assist him on the field.

Award-winning animal advocate Jill Rappaport introduces the Subaru of America, Inc. Pup Close and Personal segments that highlight heartwarming stories of the adorable athletes. The in-depth Pup Close and Personal profiles this season include Puppy adoption advocate and The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise alum Wells Adams and his continuing efforts to promote puppy adoption; Mango, the first-ever international PUPPY BOWL player who was rescued from Mexico by the family team behind Compassion Without Borders; the incredible relationship between BFF pups Buttons, a sight-impaired and deaf Cocker Spaniel and Sophie, a three-legged Goldendoodle; and Tyler, a loveable pup player rescued from the flood waters of Houston during Hurricane Harvey who made his way to PUPPY BOWL XIV via a road trip with Greg Mahle of Rescue Road Trips.

As always, fans will witness PUPPY BOWL’s iconic water bowl cam, instant replays and the fan-favorite kiss cam. Animal Planet audiences won’t miss a moment of the excitement with aerial shots of the field from the SHEBA^® Sky Box and the Puppy Bowl Blimp as Surge the hamster is back on his wheel powering the PUPPY BOWL scoreboard.

Meep the Bird, a rescue African Gray Parrot, returns to talk sports and live tweet updates throughout the game from his iPhone and iPad. Fans can follow @MeepTheBird on Twitter and Instagram to catch the latest news, puppy drama and locker room moments from inside the stadium.

While the puppy players break for a cat nap, the ARM & HAMMER™ SLIDE™ Cat Litter KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW gets underway with viral video sensation Prince Michael and Phil the cat from Aaron’s Animals. These popular purrformers take to the stage as Kitt-ENSYNC sings “Meow Meow Meow” to the tune of *NSYNC’s 2000 hit “Bye Bye Bye.” All adoptable kittens on stage with Kitt-ENSYNC are provided by ASPCA NY.

And these aren’t the only cats who need to be rescued. Wild tigers are in trouble due to habitat loss and poaching, which is pushing them to extinction. Discovery Communications is working with World Wildlife Fund and others to support Project C.A.T., a worldwide effort to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022. By conserving nearly two million acres of protected land in India and Bhutan, this collaboration aims to ensure a healthy habitat for future generations of tigers. To join and support Project C.A.T., please visit discovery.com/ProjectCAT. If you are in the U.S., simply text TIGER to 707070.

PUPPY BOWL digital audiences can point their paws to AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowl to view the roster of the PUPPY BOWL XIV starting lineup. For the first time, fans can create their very own digital PUPPY BOWL trading cards, using their own beloved animal as the star! Just upload your pet’s photo, choose one of 10 different frames – including the option to choose #TeamRuff or #TeamFluff – and add fun stats like “Pawsome Talent,” “Favorite TV Show” and “Naughtiest Habit.” On game day, Sunday, Feb. 4, PUPPY BOWL XIV fans are invited to vote in the Most Valuable Puppy poll at AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowlMVP. The viewer votes determine which puppy player gets barking rights and the title of MVP, which will be revealed during PUPPY BOWL XIV.

Leading up to the game, social media users are encouraged to keep an eye out for a very special PUPPY BOWL Instagram Story that will provide an insider’s look at PUPPY BOWL – the only way to see it is by following @AnimalPlanet on Instagram. PUPPY BOWL fans can also follow all the PUPPY BOWL action in real time on Twitter via @animalplanet. Fans looking for the Puppy Bowl news and opinion that truly matter can keep an eye out for “Spot Center” and “Around the Bowl” on the Animal Planet and Puppy Bowl Facebook pages.

PUPPY BOWL VIRTUAL REALITY gives viewers a pup’s eye view of the action, taking them inside Puppy Bowl Training Camp, where puppy trainer Mike turns our rookie players from fluff to buff! The two-part PUPPY BOWL VIRTUAL REALITY series will be available at AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowlVR, through the Discovery VR iOS and Android apps, Samsung VR and the Animal Planet YouTube channel.

Last year, PUPPY BOWL XIII dominated a field of imitators with the #1 cable telecast across the day. It was the second-highest-rated PUPPY BOWL in the history of the event, dogging all competition on cable. The single telecast averaged 2.5 million total viewers P2+, a double-digit increase (+12%) in viewers vs. the PUPPY BOWL XII telecast. PUPPY BOWL XIII also ranked #2 in ALL OF TELEVISION in its timeslot among Women 25-54 and Women 18-49 for the fifth consecutive year, no exclusions, behind only FOX and its Super Bowl coverage. PUPPY BOWL XIV will repeat all day and night for a total of 10 hours on game day.

PUPPY BOWL XIV official sponsors are PEDIGREE^®, CHEWY.COM, Subaru of America, Inc., BISSELL^®, ARM & HAMMER™ SLIDE™ Cat Litter, WISDOM PANEL™, GEICO^® and SHEBA^®.

Animal Planet will premiere the first-ever Puppy Bowl Presents: The Dog Bowl, a newly added furry football competition for adult dogs living in rescues and shelters, frequently passed over for their younger counterparts. As a companion to PUPPY BOWL, The Dog Bowl works with shelters and rescues to fill the rosters of two teams of players, Team Wags and Team Tails, for what will be a full-scale matchup. The Subaru of America, Inc. “Dogs Life” in-depth profiles of individual dog players will include NFL player Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker who run Deckers Dogs, a non-profit that trains rescue dogs to be to be service dogs for disabled vets; NFL player and animal advocate Logan Ryan; Tia Torres from Pit Bulls & Parolees; and Steve Greig aka @Wolfgang2242 on Instagram who has dedicated his life to caring for and helping to rescue senior dogs in need.

The Dog Bowl also features celebrity dogs from Instagram, including, among other celebs, Mannie the Frenchie (@mannie_the_frenchie), Chloe Kardoggian (@chloekardoggian), EllaBean (@ellabeanthedog), Rufus the Pug (@realrufuspug), and Hamilton the Pug (@hamiltonpug) who show support and cheer for players. The Dog Bowl Half Time “Pet-A-Palooza” adoption event takes place at Little Shelter in Long Island, NY. Other The Dog Bowl sponsors include SOUTHWEST, MILK-BONE, PURINA and ALLSTATE.

Animal Planet audiences can learn more about the shelters, rescues and organizations that participated in PUPPY BOWL XIV by visiting https://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/.

PUPPY BOWL XIV is produced for Animal Planet by Discovery Studios where Simon Morris is executive producer and showrunner and Cindy Kain is vice president of current production. For Animal Planet, Dawn Sinsel serves as executive producer and Pat Dempsey is producer.

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

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

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

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

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

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