Iams Adoption Program Saves Pets' Lives

Iams Home 4 the Holidays Turns to the Public to Help Meet Their Most Ambitious Adoption Goal Yet

 

There may be no better way to get that warm and fuzzy feeling during the holidays than to bring an orphaned pet home. And since the Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption program got started nine years ago, some 2 million animals have already been placed into loving homes.

This year, organizers will depend more than ever on the kindheartedness of families and individuals to help meet the most aggressive adoption goal yet, 1 million new homes for animals from Oct. 1 through Jan. 5.

Spend the Holidays With a New Best Friend

An estimated 8 million homeless animals in the U.S. was enough to inspire Mike Arms – president and executive director of the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego – to initiate the annual holiday program in his own county. Today, there are more than 3,000 participating shelters in more than 15 countries including Canada, Iran, Australia, India and Iraq.

“You can’t buy love,” says Arms, who hopes the program will dissuade potential pet owners from purchasing dogs through puppy mills. (Actually, as many as a quarter of all dogs in shelters are purebreds.) He says that everyone who has ever gone to adopt a dog knows that people don’t adopt pets, pets adopt people. “All you have to do is give it a chance,” he says. “Your best friend might be waiting.”

Pet adoption, Arms adds, is also a wonderful option for those who might be single. A cat, for instance, which prefers to sleep all day, is an ideal selection for a nine-to-fiver. And a mature, housebroken pup is perfect for those looking for a mellow companion. “You don’t have to spend the holidays alone or any other day alone,” he says.

“All you have to do is give it a chance. Your best friend might be waiting.”

Desperate Housewives Star Inspired to Help

Every year, millions of people across the globe experience what its like to find a new best friend in a cat, dog or other animal their local shelter, including actor Felicity Huffman. So touched by the black Labrador mix named Tucker that she adopted from a Los Angeles shelter three years ago, Huffman has taken the role as the Iams Home 4 the Holidays North American Ambassador.

Facing the prospect that as many as 4 million animals could be euthanized this year, she’s encouraging others to consider animals at their hometown shelter. “When our family decided to get a new pet, we chose to adopt, and now, Tucker is more than a wonderful pet, he’s part of our family,” says Huffman.

Adopt an Orphaned Pet

Convinced it’s time to bring an animal home this holiday season? To locate a shelter in your community, go to IamsHome4theHolidays.com. The Web site includes information on adoption and how to donate to a shelter near your home.

Those who adopt dogs, cats or any other animal through a participating shelter will also leave with an Iams Adoption Starter Kit. Inside is a guide with information on training, behavior and nutrition. Your new pet will appreciate the Iams meal inside and owners will value coupons for pet food savings, pet care supplies and pet health insurance.

Arms says the success of the program really depends on people opening their hearts this holiday season to bring home a needy pet. The program has already made a significant impact on the participating pet shelters. “They’ve told us it was the first time in history that didn’t have to take the life of an animal during the holidays,” he says.

He emphasizes the campaign would have never gained its incredible momentum without the support of the Iams company through Procter & Gamble Pet Care.

“If it continues with this synergy, people are going to get the message out and give orphans a chance.”

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