Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals Partners with Iams Home 4 the Holidays for NYC Area Adoption Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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

•	There are as many as 8 million orphaned pets in the United States.
•	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).
•	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.
•	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.
•	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.
•	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

# # #