(www.meowbarkblog.com)

Release of special edition Shepard Fairey ADOPT print will mark historic significance of the presidential dog adoption and help continue to raise awareness for pet adoption nationwide

LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10, 2009 – Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, and Artist Shepard Fairey have hope and faith in the Obamas’ commitment to adopting a dog — so much so, that they have already created a special-edition ADOPT print to be released immediately after the adoption becomes official.

The only thing needed for Fairey to finalize the image is the presidential pooch adoption date, which will go on the dog’s tag, making the print a distinctive piece of pet adoption history.

“The day the Obamas adopt their new family member will no doubt be a historic moment for shelter animals everywhere,” said Adopt-a-Pet.com Spokesperson Dr. Pia Salk, who initiated the collaboration with Fairey. “It is monumental that the leader of our country will be setting an example by saving the life of a dog in need. This will send a strong message to today’s youth about the power that lies in our choices and the importance of giving back to those less fortunate. Their adoption will be a symbol of hope for not only shelter animals but for the country overall.”

In the same way the original Fairey ADOPT image was based on the red, white and blue Hope poster, this new edition is modeled after the Obama inauguration ‘history’ sticker that was released in regal shades of black and gold. The print will enable animal lovers to show their support and give back to the plight of shelter animals.

“Animal lovers of all political affiliations can join together and celebrate the historic date that the Obamas bring home the first adopted dog ever to inhabit the White House,” said Adopt-a-Pet.com Executive Director Abbie Moore. “This is truly a non-partisan issue, and we hope to see all Americans follow the Obamas’ wonderful example. The importance of this action simply cannot be overstated.”

For information on the print and to search for adoptable pets, go to http://www.adoptapet.com.

About Adopt-a-Pet.com

Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 7,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free. Adopt-a-Pet.com displays photos and descriptions of adoptable pets to over 1.5 million people seeking to adopt a pet each month, and is funded by the passionate pet lovers at Purina and North Shore Animal League America. Aside from being able to adopt a dog or adopt a cat, Adopt-a-Pet.com visitors may now also adopt a rabbit, horse, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, farm-type animals and other small pets.

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — If you think we have a lot of pets at our house, prepare to have your mind blown. This isn’t quite as bad as the 800+ small dogs and parrots found in an Arizona home early last year, but it’s still pretty bad.

Police in Chester Township, New Jersey (just about 30 minutes from my hometown), found 80 cats and 1 dog in a million-dollar home that was full of animal feces up to 2 feet deep in some parts of the house. And in a similar story, police in Plano, Texas, found 21 cats holed up in a motel room with a man who faced previous animal cruelty charges and had stored dead cats in his fridge and freezer.

Animal hoarding is a serious problem, and AnimalHoarding.com reports that about 1,500 new cases are discovered each year in the US. If you suspect a case of animal hoarding, contact your local police, animal control, or SPCA.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — I received the message below from friend and colleague Beth J. Bates, who’s raising money to help families keep their pets in their homes. (Read more about how the recession is affecting pets in my post about 46 homeless cats and animal food banks.)

It’s that time of year again! Time to have some fun and help homeless dogs! GoodDogz.org is hosting the 2009 “Tails on Trails” dog walk as part of the Reston Pet Fiesta on May 2, 2009. This dog walk is our primary fundraiser of the year and this year we need your help more than ever. With pet surrenders at an all-time high and giving at an all-time low, GoodDogz.org is doing what we can to help bridge the gap by working with families to help keep dogs in homes and finding placement when it’s just not possible.

Our fundraising goal for this year is $10,000. This money will help us:

- Develop new resources for dog adopters
- Support the efforts of rescue groups through online resources and individual assistance
- Create online educational programs for kids
- Continue to help rescues find homes for dogs in need

Every donation, no matter how small, helps us do what we do.

Please help me reach my goal by making a secure donation at https://www.firstgiving.com/bethbates.

My personal goal is $1,500 – pretty aggressive but I think I can do it with your help! Here are all the ways you can support us:

- Make a donation to my campaign at https://www.firstgiving.com/bethbates
- Set-up your own pledge page and start collecting donations from folks who want to help at http://www.firstgiving.com/GoodDogz
- Participate in the dog walk – http://tinyurl.com/dzct2x
- Be a dog walk sponsor – http://www.petfiesta.org/dogwalk.html

Here is the event information:
Reston Pet Fiesta “Tails on Trails” Dog Walk
May 2nd, 2009 | 10AM
Reston Town Center, Reston, VA
Click here to register for the dog walk!
Click here to get a page and start collecting pledges!

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — This story is so unbelievably sweet it made my teeth ache and my eyes fill with tears. Evidently four puppies were orphaned in Amman when their mother was killed in an accident. Momma cat Smaigel, owned by Mohammad Al-Hamoury, has adopted the puppies as her own. The pictures are amazing.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — More than 50 whales and dolphins recently stranded themselves on a beach in Tasmania. Rescuers believe these whales were part of a larger group of 192 that had stranded the day before on nearby King Island.

Australia is a whale-stranding hotspot, and 90%+ of the strandings happen in Tasmania.

Read more at CNN/asia.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — Humans aren’t the only victims of the tanking US economy. Sherry and Tim Sterner of Caroline County, Virginia, are in foreclosure and need to find new homes for their 46 rescued cats now that they’re moving to a rental property in nearby Spotsylvania County.

Read more about the kitties, the couple, and the situation at Fredericksburg.com.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — When some Americans are struggling to feed themselves and their human family members, it’s easy for pets to fall by the wayside. US animal shelters are reporting record numbers of surrendered pets, and people nationwide are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table and in the dog bowl.

Thanks why organizations like Meals on Wheels’ We All Love Our Pets (WALOP) program and the Save Our Pets Food Bank are stepping in: to keep families together and pets well fed despite economic hardship. Whereas WALOP focuses its efforts on Meals on Wheels recipients, Save Our Pets Food Bank helps both senior and others challenged by providing adequate care for their companion animals.

Although Save Our Pets is located in Georgia, the organization has affiliates in 21 other states.

Visit the WALOP and Save Our Pets websites for more information on how to contribute or how to request assistance.

Read More About Pet Food Banks:

• Recession affects pets as well as people
• N.B. food bank helps people feed pets despite cash crunch
• Despite Recession, Pets Not Forgotten  

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

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(www.meowbarkblog.com) — These poor dolphins!

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — The next time your pet does something kooky, snap a picture. You might get lucky and find that it pays off, like these folks did.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — This is one lucky dog! And a great reminder to keep close tabs on your pets during the cold winter months.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King