Garfield and Friends Join The Shelter Pet Project

“Who better to champion the need to visit a shelter than Garfield?” said Garfield creator and CEO of Paws, Inc.^® Jim Davis. “Everyone here at Paws, Inc. is so honored to be a part of this initiative. I hope that Garfield can encourage a whole new generation to visit their local animal shelter or rescue group. Who knows, there might be a Garfield or an Odie waiting for them.”

June marks a particularly active time for shelters and rescue groups, as it’s the peak of kitten season, when thousands of newborn homeless kittens join other cats available for adoption across the United States. There are cats for every personality in shelters and rescue groups right now, and with each adoption, the number of healthy and treatable pets who lose their lives in shelters each year declines. Currently, about 2.4 million pets still need to find a home each year. The Shelter Pet Project’s goal is to bring that number down to zero.

“Every shelter pet deserves a loving family, and every loving family deserves an amazing shelter pet,” said Michael Markarian, Chief Program and Policy Officer for The HSUS. “We are thrilled to have the support of Garfield and Odie in urging families to make shelters and rescue groups their first stop when bringing a beloved new four-legged friend into their home.”

The videos feature Garfield talking directly to the screen encouraging viewers to go online and see what shelter pets are available in their area. In addition to the videos, the Paws, Inc. team has created a series of animated social graphics depicting Garfield and Odie asking viewers to visit the Shelter Pet Project website. At TheShelterPetProject.org, prospective adopters can browse through a database of dogs and cats available for adoption in their area and learn more about misconceptions around shelter pet adoption as well as about the process of adopting a pet.

“If just a small percentage of those looking to acquire a pet in the next year choose to adopt, we can end the euthanization of all healthy and treatable pets across the U.S,” said Rich Avanzino, President of Maddie’s Fund. “Thanks to Garfield, millions of people can see the joy – and laughs – that come with sharing their lives with pets. We couldn’t ask for a better friend to support our campaign.”

“The Shelter Pet Project is one of our most beloved campaigns and it has helped countless pets find loving homes and families. This partnership with Paws, Inc. and Garfield will only enhance our message,” said Ad Council President and CEO Lisa Sherman. “Garfield has been an iconic and treasured figure for generations of children and families and he will be such an influential advocate for shelter pets across the country. We are hopeful that he will be able to reach and inspire new audiences.”

To view the videos and graphics or for more information about The Shelter Pet Project, visit TheShelterPetProject.org.

The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We’re there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — on the Web at humanesociety.org.

Maddie’s Fund^®
Maddie’s Fund (maddiesfund.org) is a family foundation founded in 1994 by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, they have awarded more than $153 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie’s Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and comforted them during stressful business times when Dave was launching a start-up company. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl from 1987-1997 and continues to inspire them today.

The Ad Council
The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshaling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit www.adcouncil.org. You can also visit www.facebook.com/adcouncil or follow the Ad Council on Twitter @AdCouncil.

Garfield & Friends by Paws, Inc.
Since 1978, Garfield has been putting smiles on people’s faces! The world’s funniest and feistiest feline, Garfield, is a human in a cat suit! Garfield would rather pig out than work out; would like mornings if they started later; has never met a lasagna he didn’t like; and has never met a Monday he did. Whether he’s feeding his face, snatching a snooze, or spouting a one-liner, Garfield never fails to amuse. www.garfield.com.

Press Contacts:

Ellyn Fisher
Ad Council
[email protected]

Kim Campbell
Paws, Inc.
[email protected]

Cheylin Parker
The Humane Society of the United States
[email protected]