Today, the Ad Council, The Humane Society of the United States and Maddie's Fund in partnership with Halo Pet Foundation, released an online video series called “Meet My Shelter Pet” to showcase the unique bonds between shelter pets and their adoptive owners and remind viewers that there are thousands of amazing shelter pets ready to meet them.
Launched to coincide with National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, one of the videos features legendary music man and David Letterman band leader, Paul Shaffer, with his daughter Victoria showing off the lovable personalities of their four adopted dogs, Riley, Jake, Echo and Rue.
“Everybody should have a shelter dog. It’s good for the soul,” said Paul Shaffer. “All four of our dogs have been absolute gems. Why would you want to do anything else but rescue a pet?”
The videos are part of The Shelter Pet Project, a public service advertising (PSA) campaign that for four years has helped to positively change the perception of shelter pets, with euthanasia rates declining by 10 percent during the campaign’s time period. Despite these gains, however, 2.7 million healthy and treatable pets are still losing their lives in shelters each year. The Shelter Pet Project’s goal is to bring that number down to zero.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS said: “We know that Paul and Victoria’s online video for The Shelter Pet Project will inspire more people to rescue a shelter pet. That outcome will be music to our ears, and to every shelter director in America.”
“You must watch these videos from The Shelter Pet Project— they will touch your heart in a powerfully positive, uplifting way! The Halo Pet Foundation is honored to support The Humane Society of the United States encouraging pet adoption from shelters,” said David Yaskulka, Vice President, Marketing Communications, HALO, Purely for Pets.
Shelter pet adoptions are on the rise in the United States. According to The Humane Society of the United States, 17 million people will acquire a dog or cat within the next year, and each year four million of these animals are adopted from shelters.
“Every happy adoption story encourages other people to open their hearts to a homeless pet,” said Maddie’s Fund President Rich Avanzino. “By showing the joy their adopted pets have brought to their family, Paul and Victoria are inspiring countless others to share that same incredible experience.”
“The beauty of The Shelter Pet Project campaign is that these pets speak for themselves,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We hope these videos will break down barriers and encourage people to consider shelter pet adoption as the only option bringing a pet into their family.”
In the upcoming months, a video featuring Vampire Diaries and Army Wives’ actress Torrey DeVitto and her dog Beau will be released. To see the videos or for more information about The Shelter Pet Project visit TheShelterPetProject.org.
