Help a homeless pet this holiday season
Each year, thousands of pets are given up to local animal shelters where they patiently wait to find their new forever homes. Which is why in 1999 Iams launched the Iams Home 4 the Holidays program to educate people about the importance of pet adoption.
“Only 45 per cent of dogs and cats admitted into shelter care are adopted out, leaving many perfectly-fit family companions without a home,” said Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer for the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. “Iams Home 4 the Holidays celebrates the experience of adoption and the love and companionship found through bringing home an animal in need.”
In the first year of the program, 14 organizations took part, helping to find new homes for 2,563 animals. Today, more than 3,500 adoption organizations from 21 countries are involved in this special holiday project.
People often think animals wind up in shelters because of behavioural problems, but that's just a small percentage of adoptable animals. Many are surrendered due to allergies and financial constraints, some are found wandering lost. Shelter pets can make a wonderful addition to a family, and many owners say their adopted pets love them more because they know their life was saved.
“Each year, as many as 4 million orphaned dogs and cats are euthanized due to shelter overcrowding– that is approximately one pet every eight seconds,” said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “We’ve been a part of the adoption drive for 13 years now and have really seen the benefit of what this program can do for animals, our employees and the families who adopt.”
Before adopting an animal, it's important to ask yourself why you want to adopt a pet now, whether you can spend enough time with your new friend and if you'll be able to care for them financially. And don't ever 'surprise' someone with a pet as a gift; always make sure to discuss adding another member to your family.
There are many ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of orphaned pets, including adoption, donating to a shelter or rescue group and volunteering.
Simply by “liking” the Iams Facebook page, the company will donate a meal to a participating shelter. The page will also be featuring animals available for adoption during the campaign.
Everyone who adopts through the IH4TH program will receive an Iams adoption kit loaded with important information about nutrition, training and proper care to ensure that the relationship with the new animal starts off on the right paw.
The program continues until Jan. 3, 2012.
For more information, visit: www.iams.ca or www.facebook.com/Iams or check out www.twitter.com/IH4TH
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