IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS, IN ITS 14th YEAR, SETS OUT TO FIND FOREVER HOMES FOR ORPHANED ANIMALS

This annual pet adoption drive boasts 7 million pets adopted over the past 13 years

The Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive enters its 14^th year and remains focused on raising awareness of pet adoption while also ensuring proper nutrition for more homeless pets this year. The program which runs Oct. 1, 2012 through Jan. 2, 2013  celebrates over 7 million pets adopted out since its inaugural year and continues to educate potential pet owners about the wonderful animals available at local shelters and rescue organizations. This year, Iams will again work in conjunction with founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and more than 4,000 animal organizations worldwide to encourage pet adoption.    

“Shelters and rescues around the country are overflowing with great adoptable animals awaiting forever homes,” said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "Last year a tiny, starved dachshund was brought into a shelter, weighing maybe one pound soaking wet, and very cold and miserable. The shelter helped nurse her back to health and she was adopted by a wonderful couple that fell in love with her and named her Baby. Stories like these show us the importance of promoting pet adoption and how a program like Iams Home 4 the Holidays can make a huge difference in the life of a pet.” 

Canadians can participate in the program in more ways than one. Lend a hand by:

• Donating through Bags 4 Bowls – For those who are already pet parents, Iams will donate one bowl of food to a participating Iams Home 4 the Holidays animal organization for every specially marked package of Iams pet food purchased during the campaign

·         Adopting from a local shelter – Every day more and more animals end up in shelters or in rescue care, and more than 25 per cent are pure breeds*. This is important to keep in mind when deciding to bring a pet into your life, the animal you’re looking for is probably in your neighborhood shelter. To find a participating animal shelter or rescue organization near you, visit iams.ca or facebook.com/iams

·         Volunteering – Shelters need volunteers to do everything from feeding, caring for and keeping rescue animals company, to assisting at events and fundraisers. If you can’t adopt but would still love to help do so as a volunteer

• Visiting Facebook.com/iams – Visit the Iams Facebook page and click to “Like” the page or various messages, photos, videos, etc. For each “Like” comment Iams will donate meals to participating animal shelters

Last year alone, 1.2 million pets were adopted during the holiday campaign and an estimated 5 million meals were donated to pets in need. In Canada alone, over 75,000 animals found forever homes during the campaign. 

"With as many as 36 per cent* of animals euthanized every year in Canadian shelters, this campaign is a wonderful platform to raise awareness about pet adoption and homelessness,” said Barbara Cartwright, CEO, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. "This year we hope to debunk the myths that surround shelter animals and place deserving pets into the homes of loving families."

For more information about the campaign or to find out how to get involved, become a fan of the Iams Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Iams or visit www.iams.ca.