Home > Out of the Cage! > Holiday 2008 > Mayor's Alliance Promotes Holiday Pet Adoptions in a Big Way

Mayor's Alliance Promotes Holiday Pet Adoptions in a Big Way

Animal homelessness doesn't take a holiday. This year, at a time when economic hardships are resulting in an increase in the number of animals entering the shelters, promoting adoption is more crucial than ever. To keep pet adoptions in New York City brisk throughout the holiday season, the Mayor's Alliance this year implemented several tactics designed to bring out more adopters and increase the number of cats and dogs finding new homes this season.

First, we teamed up with Iams Home 4 the Holidays^®, the annual pet adoption campaign created in 1999 by the Helen Woodward Animal Foundation that uses the power of the media to promote adoptions during the holiday season. Beginning in October and running through January 5, this year's Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign has a goal of finding homes for one million homeless animals.

Many Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) have participated in Iams Home 4 the Holidays in years past. For some, this is their first year of participation. But even those APOs that did not sign up to participate in the 2008 campaign are reaping its benefits as a result of strong media promotion, particularly appearances and public service announcements by this year's celebrity spokesperson, Felicity Huff.

Having partnered with Iams Home 4 the Holidays, and using its theme, the Mayor's Alliance launched a special NYC Holiday Adoption website — HolidayPetAdoptNYC.org — to promote every possible opportunity for New Yorkers to find their next furry family members. The site lists dozens and dozens of holiday adoption events in and around New York City, as well as regular adoption locations and hours for NYC shelters and rescue organizations. A link to the Petfinder Animal Search Module that connects adopters with animals for adoption from APOs also can be found on the site. Additionally, potential adopters can view a specially prepared ASPCA video featuring ASPCA President Ed Sayres and Humane Law Enforcement Special Investigator Anne Marie Lucas, who discuss how to responsibly adopt (and not purchase from a pet store) an animal companion who will fit with your lifestyle.

This year, with the continued support of APO North Shore Animal League America, which makes its adoption vans available most weekends for its fellow APOs, the Mayor's Alliance scheduled close to 50 adoption van events in November and December. These events are bringing animals to the people in neighborhoods throughout New York City, making it easier for adopters to find their true love even during the hectic holidays.

For Mayor's Alliance groups that have regular adoption locations or are participating in van adoption events this season, we provided holiday adoption posters for display in the shelter or retail store or on the van to advertise adoption dates and times. And to get the word out to the media, we issued media alerts, and hosted our annual "Santa and Maddie on Fifth Avenue" media event on December 9, again featuring dogs in "Adopt Me" vests from Animal Care & Control. Take a look at the event as it appeared on WPIX-TV.

If you've been thinking about adding a new member to your family, or if you know someone else who is, our holiday pet adoption website is a great place to start looking. And remember that by giving the gift of a new home to an animal who needs one, you're actually giving yourself a gift of love.