More than 350,000 cats and dogs found new homes through the 2006 Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign. (Stock photo) |
Shelters and rescue groups around the world participated in the 2006 Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, with the goal of finding homes for 350,000 homeless cats, dogs and other animals. The annual campaign, which runs from early November to early January, surpassed its goal with the 2,442 participating shelters placing 378,764 animals in new homes.
“Our goal of 350,000 adoptions during the holiday season was pretty aggressive,” said John Van Zante, spokesman for Helen Woodward Animal Center, where the adoption campaign started eight years ago. “But we knew it was possible. And we did it!”
The 8th annual event succeeded in finding good homes for 186,987 dogs and puppies, 172,016 cats and kittens, and 19,761 other pets. Plans are already underway for the 2007 event, with campaign organizers eyeing a larger adoption goal and hoping to recruit more participating shelters.
“We’ll work together to determine what’s realistic,” Van Zante said. “We want this to be successful for the shelters without being stressful. And we also must never forget that Iams Home 4 the Holidays is successful by one pet at a time!”
For more information about the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, visit the group’s website.