RANCHO SANTA FE–More than 1,363,638 orphaned pets are starting 2010 with a new, “leash on life” after being adopted during the 11th annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) pet adoption drive. IH4TH ambassador and two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Hilary Swank joined IH4TH creator Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center, in making the announcement today. Between Oct. 1, 2009 and Jan. 4, 2010 more than 3,900 animal shelters and rescue groups in 17 countries worked together to find families for orphaned pets.
“I’m proud to be part of such an amazing cause and I hope the families who adopted through the IH4TH program will experience the same unconditional love and fulfillment that my dogs, Karoo and Rumi, give me every day,” said Swank. “I hope our success inspires everyone to get involved and continue to help eradicate pet homelessness because there are millions of animals who still need our help and we all have the ability to help make a difference.”
Since 1999, with the support of participating animal organizations from 17 countries,
IH4TH has become the world’s largest and most successful pet adoption campaign. Adoptions during this 11th annual drive include:
- 729,357 dogs (53.5%)
- 588,265 cats (43.2%)
- 46,016 other pets (3.3%)
“Every year I’m inspired by the love and commitment I see as millions of people experience the joy of pet adoption,” said Mike Arms. “Not only has IH4TH made a tremendous impact on pets and their new families, we’ve improved the lives of people who work around the world to help orphaned pets every day.”
While the 11th annual IH4TH campaign has concluded, animal shelters and pet rescue groups throughout San Diego County still have orphaned pets in need of loving families. Find your new pet today. Visit the shelter or rescue nearest you or log on to www.iamshome4theholidays.com
