LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three new giant figures are joining the venerable and nationally televised Hollywood Christmas Parade and will be towering over the streets of Los Angeles and on millions of television screens across the country.  Who are these new superheroes?  Just three larger-than-life characters seeking to bring a better holiday and a brighter new year to America's children and animals. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101108/DC97343LOGO )

The 134-year-old American Humane Association, a 20-foot balloon dog, and legendary canine giant of the silver screen RIN TIN TIN are among the newest participants in the 80-year-old nationally televised event. They have come together to remind all Americans to remember the most vulnerable during the holidays.

American Humane Association is one of the oldest humanitarian organizations and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals.  Each year, American Humane Association protects millions of young people, pets, and farm animal from abuse, neglect and cruelty. With the help of its "national spokesdog" RIN TIN TIN, their famed Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services teams rescue and shelter thousands of animals each year from disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri, and even 9/11. They also bring life-saving tips to protect children, families and communities across America.

"The holidays are a time to celebrate and think of others," says Jocelyn Ganzert, a longtime supporter of child and animal protection who is riding in the American Humane Association parade car with RIN TIN TIN and is the daughter of the organization's president and CEO Robin Ganzert. "I'm so proud to be here as an ambassador with my Mom, and I hope that this holiday season more young people and adults alike will join our compassion crusade and get involved to create a brighter 2012 for the millions of children and animals who need protection all year round." 

The Hollywood Christmas Parade begins at 6:00 pm today (Red Carpet press starts at 4:00 pm) and will be broadcast into millions of homes by Hallmark Channel on December 12, and on Hallmark Movie Channel and via syndication to major television markets in December. Check local listings for airtimes.  The event is co-hosted by Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie, and Marie Osmond is serving as its Grand Marshal.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877 American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today they are also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. AHA gratefully thanks the community service organization Gay for Good, whose volunteers are handling the parade balloon during today's event. You can help make a difference, too, for millions of children and animals in need. Please visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association