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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals Partners with
Iams Home 4 the Holidays for NYC Area Adoption Events
Program Goal is to Help Place 1 Million Adoptable
Animals into Loving Homes between October 2008 and January 5, 2009
New York, NY – Wednesday, November 12, 2008
– Pet adoptions are needed this year in NYC more than ever.
Due to economic challenges, foreclosures, job loss, etc., New Yorkers
are abandoning pets or not adopting pets at a time when they most
need the comfort of a loving pet in their home. New York City shelters
are overflowing with adoptable pets. To help address these problems,
the Mayor's
Alliance for NYC's Animals is launching an active schedule of
adoption events throughout the city, and has partnered with the
successful Iams
Home 4 the Holidays annual adoption program to heighten awareness
in the area.
The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals includes
over 140 shelters and rescue groups that are working together to
stimulate responsible adoptions during the holiday season with numerous
adoption events throughout New York City. The complete schedule
and adoption event locations can be viewed at www.HolidayPetAdoptNYC.org.
"By combining the dedication and passion of
the remarkable shelters, rescue groups and volunteers that comprise
the Mayor's Alliance with the inspiring and successful Iams Home
4 the Holidays program, we hope that more New Yorkers will open
their hearts and homes to a new furry family member, bringing joy
this holiday season and for years to come," said Jane Hoffman,
president of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.
This year commemorates a decade of success for Iams
Home 4 the Holidays, having placed more than 2 million pets into
homes since it began in 1999. The campaign has announced its most
aggressive goal to date, which is to find loving homes for at least
1 million animals between October 1, 2008, and January 5, 2009.
Founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center in 1999, Iams Home 4 the
Holidays harnesses the power of nearly 3,000 worldwide animal organizations
in a global effort to raise awareness about the importance of pet
adoption.
By providing resources and information about participating
rescue groups and shelters, the program encourages potential pet
owners to adopt their next companion, not purchase from a pet store.
For those who cannot adopt a pet, the program also provides opportunities
to foster an animal, volunteer or donate.
Important Facts
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There are as many as 8 million orphaned
pets in the United States. |
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As many as 4 million orphaned dogs and cats
will be euthanized this year due to shelter overcrowding,
according to a pet population study by Humane Society of the
United States (HSUS). |
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For anyone interested in adopting a purebred
dog, it's helpful to know that roughly 20–25 percent
of all dogs in animal shelters are purebreds. |
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More than 15 countries participate in this
adoption drive, making Iams Home 4 the Holidays one of the
world's largest pet adoption programs. There are participating
shelters in Canada, Iran, Australia, India, New Zealand, Iraq,
and more. |
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Iams Home 4 the Holidays has helped more
than 1,047,000 dogs, 962,000 cats, and 66,000 other animals,
such as rabbits, reptiles, birds, and more, find homes over
the past nine years. |
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The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is
committed to making NYC a no-kill city by 2015. Since its
inception in 2002, the euthanasia rate in New York City has
decreased from 74 percent in 2002 to 43 percent in 2007. |
The pet adoption campaign takes place through January
5, 2009, and anyone who adopts from a participating shelter or rescue
group will receive an Iams Adoption Starter Kit, which includes
a care guide loaded with tips and information about pet care, behavior,
training, and nutrition. The kit also includes the new pet's first
meal as well as coupons for great savings on additional pet food,
other supplies, and animal health insurance.
To learn about the myriad ways to help an orphaned
pet, including finding participating shelters, volunteering, and
making a donation to support animal organizations and pets awaiting
new homes, visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org
or www.IamsHome4theHolidays.com.
About the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc., founded
in 2002 and powered by Maddie's Fund, is a coalition of more than
140 animal rescue groups and shelters that are working with the
City of New York toward the day when no NYC dog or cat of reasonable
health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not
have a home. For more information about the Mayor's Alliance and
its participating organizations, please visit the Alliance website
at www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org.
About Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH)
As one of the most successful pet adoption programs
in the world, IH4TH partners thousands of animal organizations dedicated
to finding forever homes for orphaned pets. Founded by Helen Woodward
Animal Center and supported by Iams, IH4TH began in 1999 with just
14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Since it began
more than 9 years ago, IH4TH — along with nearly 3,000 pet
adoption centers — has helped more than 2 million families
experience the joy of pet adoption, including nearly 500,000 pet
adoptions last year alone. For more information, please visit www.IamsHome4theHolidays.com.
Contact
Carrie Hyman, M. Silver Associates
Phone: (212) 754-6500 x245
E-mail: carrie@msilver-pr.com
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