NEW YORK, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --In celebration of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, radio host and entertainer Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin have joined The Shelter Pet Project in two new videos to share the love and joy that their adopted pets bring to their lives.
Lance and Michael introduce their adopted dogs, Lily, Foster and Dingo
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Lance Bass explains shelter pet adoption
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Get Shelter Pet Love with Lance Bass
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Bass, Turchin, and their rescued dogs, Lily, Foster and Dingo, are the stars of a new online video in the "Meet My Shelter Pet" series from The Shelter Pet Project. The Shelter Pet Project is a national public service campaign developed by the Ad Council, The Humane Society of the United States and Maddie's Fund®. Its videos showcase the unique bonds between shelter pets and their owners, and direct viewers to their local shelter and rescue groups, where they can find amazing dogs and cats available for adoption. A second video, narrated by Bass, highlights the importance of shelter pet adoption and provides viewers with more information on how to adopt, while also addressing several misconceptions about the adoption process.
"Michael and I are so happy to be a part of this campaign and to be able to share the love that we have for our adopted dogs, Lily, Foster and Dingo," said Bass. "They are a huge part of our life—they were even in our wedding! I urge everyone looking for a new pet to adopt. The joy is unimaginable. Our shelter dogs are the most loyal, wonderful companions imaginable, and we are so lucky to share our lives with them."
The Shelter Pet Project has helped positively change the perception of shelter pets. In the past year alone, over 503,000 people searched for dogs and cats available for adoption on the campaign website.
"Shelter pets are the best, and we are delighted that Lance and Michael have lent their support to our mission to ensure every shelter pet finds a loving family," said Betsy McFarland, vice president of companion animals for The HSUS. "The tragedy of dogs and cats being euthanized in shelters for lack of a home is a solvable problem if more people simply choose to adopt from a shelter or rescue."
Shelter pet adoptions are on the rise in the United States, with the American Pet Product Association reporting that 37 percent of dogs and 46 percent of cats in American homes today came from shelters or rescue groups. However, 2.4 million healthy and treatable pets still need to find loving homes each year. The Shelter Pet Project's goal is to bring that number down to zero.
"Lance and Michael's story highlights the amazing relationships between people and their shelter pets, and we hope that their story inspires others to adopt," said Rich Avanzino, Maddie's Fund president. "We are especially excited to release the video that breaks down the myths associated with shelter pets and shelter pet adoption. If just a small percentage of people looking to acquire a pet in the next year chose to adopt, we would realize our goal of ensuring all healthy and treatable pets find homes each year. Lance has it right: 'the biggest benefit of all is that when you adopt a shelter pet, you save a life.'"
"This campaign is bolstered by the love and adoration of real pet owners," said Ad Council President and CEO Lisa Sherman. "Without the support of people like Lance and Michael, shelter pets would not be given the voice they deserve. I am so proud that they have joined our cause and are willing to give voices to the millions of shelter pets who are still looking for their forever homes."
To view the videos 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.
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