A new “Meet My Shelter Pet” video featuring Vampire Diaries actress Torrey DeVitto and her shelter dog, Beau, will mark Celebrate Shelter Pets Day.
The video, released by The Shelter Pet Project in partnership with Halo Pet Foundation, showcases the unique bond between Torrey and Beau and reminds viewers that there are thousands of amazing shelter pets ready to be adopted.
“There is a level of appreciation that your dog has when you adopt them… I truly believe that Beau knew that I saved him in some way,” said Torrey. “Adopting Beau totally changed my life.”
Shelter pet adoptions are on the rise in the United States. According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 17 million people will acquire a dog or cat within the next year and each year 4 million of these animals are adopted from shelters.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS said: “We’re so grateful to Torrey for sharing her shelter pet adoption story. We hope many more animal lovers will be inspired to share their stories on Celebrate Shelter Pets Day and encourage friends to look to shelters first when adding to their pet families.”
“Torrey’s experience of how the power of a dog or cat can open our hearts is one every person who has ever adopted a pet will recognize,” said Maddie's Fund president Rich Avanzino. “Who wouldn’t want to bring that joy into their own lives after seeing it in hers?”
In honor of Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, The Shelter Pet Project is inviting audiences to share photos and videos of their shelter pets via social media using the hashtag #CelebrateShelterPets. More information about Celebrate Shelter Pets Day can be found on the Shelter Pet Project’s Facebook page.
The Shelter Pet Project is a public service advertising campaign that for four years has helped to positively change the perception of shelter pets, with euthanasia rates declining by 10 percent since its inception.
Source: PR Newswire
