Help Shelter Pets By Joining Actress Bellamy Young And The Shelter Pet Project

I love when people say they learn lessons from their children, because I quite agree. I've learned so much from my son.

The one lesson that stands out in my mind is how his love for animals transferred over to me.

It's not that I didn't love animals before my son was born because I did. But I had no experience having a pet, and to make matters worse my husband told tales about his childhood cat, Timmy, who would proudly bring home headless chipmunks for the family to see. Yuck.

So when our son began an all-out campaign to adopt a cat I was hesitant. I loved our cozy life with just the three of us, and couldn't imagine adding a furry creature to our home.

In the end my son won and I'll always be grateful to him that he did. Our first visit to our local no-kill shelter is a day I'll never forget because, like the Grinch, my heart grew three times that day.

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First came our ginger cat, Max. Then a few months later Newton, our gorgeous tabby. Today at 12 years old they are like brothers, endlessly entertaining and always a joy to be around.

MaxNewton

A few years later came Whitey, a beautiful gray and white feral cat someone obviously lost or left behind (he was already neutered.) Whitey begged at our back door to become part of our family and we willingly obliged. We had four magical years with that sweetie-pie.

MaxWhitey

Two years ago we adopted Smokey, our gorgeous Russian Blue. Rescued from the streets of Newark, Smokey was fostered and then brought to a craft show with other adoptable cats. Once I "met" her I knew she belonged in our home. She's bright, sweet and motherly to Max and Newton.

Smokey

When our son entered high school he began volunteering at our shelter. He loved doing his part to get every animal adopted into a loving forever home.

Today I try to do whatever I can to spread awareness about the importance of shelter pet adoption, to advocate for animal rights and to put a stop to kill shelters.

That's why I'm thrilled to spread awareness about The Shelter Pet Project (#ShelterPetLove) and offer some ways you can get involved, too. Our furry friends need our help!

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Each year approximately 3-4 million pets are adopted from shelter and rescue groups, but 2.4 million healthy and treatable pets still need our help to find a home each year.

I’m reaching out to you on behalf of The Shelter Pet Project, a collaborative effort between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund®, and the Ad Council, to ask for your support.

The goal of The Shelter Pet Project is to make shelters and rescue groups the first place people turn when looking to get a new pet.

Actress Bellamy Young, who plays First Lady Mellie Grant on NBC’s “Scandal,” in partnership with the Shelter Pet Project, stars in a new online video featuring her adopted dog Bean and adopted cat Sadie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4hhORQZTbE

The video helps break down misconceptions surrounding shelter pets and spreads the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable.

In the video, Bellamy says, “Adoption is very near and dear to my heart” and encourages those who are thinking about pet adoption to take the next step and experience a “love unlike anything you’ve ever known.”

Millions of people are looking to acquire a pet within the next year. Will you help us show potential adopters that they can provide loving homes for shelter and rescue pets?

Here are a few simple ways you can help:

Share the new “Meet My Shelter Pet” video featuring Bellamy Young:https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4hhORQZTbE

Write a blog post about The Shelter Pet Project:  Encourage your readers to visit TheShelterPetProject.org, where they can “meet” shelter pets through an interactive experience, search for a dog or cat from a local shelter or rescue group, read adoption success stories, and learn valuable information about pet adoption.

Did you adopt/rescue your dog or cat? Share your #shelterpetlove. Share a photo or video of your shelter pet in a blog post and/or social media update. Tag posts with #shelterpetlove to encourage people to visitTheShelterPetProject.org to learn more about pet adoption. By sharing how your shelter pet enhances your life, you can show people who may be hesitant to pick a shelter pet just how rewarding it is to adopt.

Please tag The Shelter Pet Project on the appropriate channel (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and use #shelterpetlove when sharing!
https://www.facebook.com/ShelterPetProject
https://twitter.com/shelterpets
http://www.pinterest.com/shelterpets
http://instagram.com/shelterpetproject

 

A Holiday Gift Guide For Pets PLUS A Way To Make A Difference In The Lives Of Animals In Need (Giveaway)

If you're an animal lover like I am then you've already added a gift for your pet to your holiday gift list. That's why I'm thrilled to announce that The ASPCA has put together a gift guide for pets and pet lovers, including several fun do-it-yourself gifts for cats and dogs.

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They've also compiled a list of gift ideas that give back to animal welfare through their ASPCA store. Giving back is what the holidays are all about.

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There are plenty of gift options that will also make a difference in the lives of animals, such as:

Walkers Shortbread Cookies will donate 10¢ to the ASPCA for every 3.9 oz. package of its Scottie Dog cookies sold in the U.S. through December 31. pets

Diamond Paw Pendants from Zale's Tender Voices® collection supports the ASPCA and its mission to save lives.pets

Plush Pet Toys from Commonwealth pets

Twitter Party Alert! The ASPCA is having a #SantaPaws Holiday Twitter party and giveaway extravaganza on Thursday, December 18th from 7-8pm EST. Please join in the Santa Paws fun!

I'm happy to offer a giveaway of one of the holiday gift packs featured above. To enter please leave a comment below by Thursday, December 11. The winner will be announced by email on Friday, December 12. 

Our furry loves ones deserve our love all year round, and the holidays are the perfect time to thank them for their unconditional love.

NOTE: At this time of year please remember to send a donation to your local animal shelter. Animals not yet adopted deserve our love and care. Click here to find your local animal shelter from Petfinder.com. Help keep them safe and warm as they anxiously await adoption. Thank you.

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