Maddie’s Fund will award $50,000 to shelters and rescue groups

Maddie’s Fund is awarding prizes totaling $50,000 to 70 Petfinder.com member shelters and rescue groups in the U.S. who demonstrate good customer service.

From July 13 through Sept. 18 there will be three ways to win cash awards.

Each week, Petfinder.com Foundation will randomly email three member rescue groups with questions about an available dog or cat posted on their website.  If they receive helpful information about the animal within 24 hours, the rescue group wins $500.

Shelters need to answer their phones. Petfinder.com Foundation will randomly call three shelters. If a live person answers the phone and provides information about a particular animal, the shelter wins $500.

The third way to win is up to an “adopter,” who will randomly visit one selected shelter in a different state each week. If the “adopter” reports that the shelter experience was positive, pleasant, and helpful, the shelter will win $2,000.

Maddie’s Fund and Petfinder.com believe that good customer service saves lives.
The cash prizes should encourage shelters and rescue groups to assess their customer service and entice them to improve it if it is lacking.

Winners will be notified immediately if they have won.
-Jillian Wolande

Help Homeless Pets Just by Shopping

Shop online at BringPetsHome.org and help homeless pets. This new site has a mission to raise money for animal shelters through shopping!

The site serves as an online portal where visitors can access more than 150 major online retailers, like Amazon, Sephora, Wal-Mart, ITunes, and many more. To raise money, online shoppers register at with the site and select an animal shelter of their choice to support. Then they may click-through to the merchant of choice. Each retailer specifies a percent commission and donates that percentage to Bring Pets Home.

In addition, BringPetsHome.org provides visitors with valuable pet care information, interaction with fellow pet lovers. It is a great way to network and get together with friends to share stories, advice, and pictures.

According to the ASPCA, Every year six to eight million animals enter U.S. shelters. One million additional dogs and cats are in danger of losing their homes in 2009. All dogs and cats need food, shelter, and medical care.

“Bring Pets Home is a great way for pet lovers to raise money to help homeless animals without ever leaving home-and at no cost to them,” says Linda Block, marketing director for HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service and Bring Pets Home. “Anyone can help by simply remembering to visit BringPetsHome.org to click-through to a favorite online merchant whenever shopping online.”
—Jillian Wolande

Hotel for Dogs available now!

Hotel for Dogs is out on DVD and Blu-Ray today! And it’s loaded with special features, including behind-the-scenes featurettes, the making of Hotel for Dogs, deleted scenes, and more.

Wish your dog could be a movie star? Now he can at least be on the cover of a DVD with the Make Your Dog a Star online feature. Simply visit the website and upload a photo of your pet to create a printable Hotel for Dogs DVD cover or poster.

This rescue-friendly flick tells the tale of two orphans who create a haven for all the strays in the city. Check it out today!

Help the animals with a beautiful canvas

Pets on Canvas USA makes photos of your pet into beautiful works of art. But, canvases aren’t the only thing Pets on Canvas USA is concerned about. The San Diego based company has created a Charitable Donation Program, which helps nonprofit pet rescues.

When you purchase a canvas, 25% of that sale will go to the nonprofit pet rescue of your choice, as a tax-deductible donation. Canvases range in price from $42 to $112, and are available in a number of different sizes, widths, and framing options.

For more information, or to make your pet photo into a work of art, visit PetsOnCanvasUSA.com.

—Amanda Degard

Feline Twitter project supports rescues

Romeo is getting ready for Easter!

Twitter is taking over! It’s not just for people anymore; one special cat named Romeo has raised more than $5,000 to benefit animal rescue organizations. What started as a bit of a joke has morphed into a phenomenon. Romeo became a Twittering cat back in February and quickly began gaining followers … more than 3,000 of them to date!

The phenomenon provided a powerful platform for a widespread fundraising effort for nonprofit rescue organizations. Romeo has committed to contribute 5 cents for each follower on Twitter, and those followers have shown support in droves by matching his donations.

This project has evolved even further into a monthly FURPOWER campaign. A new rescue organization is selected each month via random drawing. Submissions are accepted during the preceding month on Romeo’s blog at RomeoTheCat.com. Nominated organizations must be US-based, dedicated nonprofits, and include cats in their efforts. Several pet brands have recognized the significance of the FURPOWER campaign and have hopped on board as sponsors. Romeo’s efforts even received mention in David Pogue’s blog in The New York Times in March.

During the first week of April, Romeo and his followers have raised more than $1,200 for Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles. To participate or learn more, visit RomeoTheCat.com. —Christina Cottini

Be Kind to Animals Week contest for kids

Do you know a kid or teen who is especially kind to animals? American Humane Association wants to know! In honor of its 95th annual Be Kind to Animals Week, the group is accepting nominations of kids ages 6-17 who are active in their communities to improve the lives and welfare of animals.

Be Kind to Animals Week is May 3-9. To enter, fill out a nomination form at AmericanHumane.org. Entries will be split into two age groups, six to 12, and 13 to 17. Winners will receive $1,000 in cash, which they can apply towards their cause.

The deadline is April 15, so don’t delay!

NYC cats participate in Feline Weight Loss Challenge

Suki is a 6-year-old, 15lb Tabby participating in the contest

Eight adoptable cats have joined the diet craze and are getting in shape. With the help of Bideawee, a New York humane organization, the cats are pursuing a healthier lifestyle to, “run faster, look even better, and become absolutely irresistible to prospective adopters.” This eight-week long diet program will include replacing their current food and veterinary help to track their progress.

Hopefully the diet program will inspire other cat owners to help their plus-sized cats get in shape. Overweight cats are more prone to serious health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, joint deterioration, cardiovascular disease, and back problems. Pet parents play a vital role in helping their cat lose its extra pounds. Food should contain quality proteins and vegetables, avoid food with by-products, a good diet can help them stay healthier longer. Exercise is also key to weight loss success. Use toys to help your cat run, stretch, and climb.

To track the cats’ progress, visit Bideawee.org.
—Amanda Degard

Ashley Judd has eye on Palin

Ashley Judd has joined the national campaign, Eye On Palin, which targets Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s wildlife policies. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund launched the initiative last week and plans to air the above video on TV during Governor Palin’s next visit to Washington, DC. Not only is the Action Fund seeking monetary donations, it is also urging concerned citizens to send a message to Gov. Palin asking her to withdraw her support for the use of aircraft to hunt and kill Alaska’s wolves and bears. For more information, visit EyeOnPalin.org.

Humane legislation alert

With a new year comes new administration and a new congress session. Two ASPCA-supported bills are being brought back to life.

The first bill, The Captive Primate Safety Act, would bar the buying and selling of nonhumane primates (monkeys, apes, marmosets and lemurs) across state borders. Though having a cute monkey as a pet might seem like a fun idea, primates often carry disease and become aggressive when they grow up. Guardians often find themselves overwhelmed and remove the animal’s teeth to prevent biting, or have to give up the pet to a sanctuary, testing facility, or roadside zoo.

The second bill is the Prevention Equine Cruelty Act. It would prohibit the “possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery, or receipt via interstate commerce of any horse intended for slaughter for human consumption.” If it passes, unwanted American horses could no longer be shipped to Canada or Mexico to be slaughtered.

To get animal legislation updates, sign up for the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.

Maybe you should watch a video

Can’t wait until Sunday to see all the great Super Bowl commercials? You can watch The Pedigree Adoption Drive’s “Maybe you should get a dog” ad in advance as well as other videos on their website. For every video watched, they’ll donate a bowl of food to dogs in shelters.

So sit, stay, watch!