Bringing a Pet Home for the Holidays

This will be the first holiday season that I get to spend with my new family. I am so excited to be apart of a loving family, during a time of the year when family is oh-so-important. Although I am so grateful and happy, it is hard not to remember all the other dogs and cats out there that desperately want a loving home like me. I was so lucky, but sadly so many dogs and cats are not. But you can help (see below)!

On thanksgiving this year we were en route to our thanksgiving dinner, all stressed out and running behind [as usual], when all of a sudden a stray dog jumped out into the middle of the road. My mom freaked [and I think she cried a little] and stopped the car immediately. The dog quickly ran into the neighborhood and my Mom called animal services. It was so sad to know that this cute dog was not going to be in her forever home for thanksgiving, when I so luckily was going to be. I am thankful for my family, but I am sad to know other dogs out there are not as fortunate as me. But you can help (see below)!

Harley's Mission and Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) are teaming up to put 1.5 million pets into loving homes by JANUARY 4, 2010! Our goal at Harley's Mission is to help spread the word behind the importance of pet adoption and to assist Iams in achieving this attainable proposition. We know we can do it, but only with your help!

Harley looking for squirrels - 2009

ADOPTION FACTS

1. As many as 8 million animals are homeless in the U.S.
2. Nearly 4 million orphaned dogs and cats will be euthanized this year due to shelter over-crowding and lack of awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
3. More than 25 percent of all dogs in shelters are purebreds.
4. IH4TH helped 1,202,751 pets find homes last year alone.
5. In Oct. 2008 Hilary Swank adopted Rumi through IH4TH at a Los Angeles shelter.
6. Over the past decade more than 3 million pets –1,638,515 dogs, 1,505,690 cats and 134,062 “other” animals – have been adopted through IH4TH.

ABOUT IH4TH

IH4TH.COM is a great resource for anyone who wants to get involved with helping homeless pets - offering tips about adoption, volunteering at a shelter and important information for new pet parents.

Every family that adopts a pet through IH4TH will receive an adoption kit and a DVD loaded with important information including: bringing a new pet into your family training tips, pet care, nutrition information and coupons.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) needs your help to place 1.5 million pets into loving homes by January 4, 2010!
2. With nearly 8 million homeless animals in the U.S. today, and almost half scheduled to be euthanized this year alone, our help is needed now more than ever.
3. You can help by adopting a pet this holiday season at IH4TH.com and receive a complimentary adoption kit to help with your new family member.
4. Can’t adopt? Join our “Feed Pets in Need” program and help bring much needed food to your favorite IH4TH shelter by simply casting a vote at IH4TH.com. 
5. Stay updated & be a part of the journey! Every week we’ll be sharing updated adoption numbers on Facebook and Twitter.

Harley sleeping on his first day (forever) home, from the animal shelter, adopted February 2009.

PLEASE HELP PETS BY CLICKING HERE!!!!

Pet Shelter Project

WANTED: The talented, untalented and YOU!

Do you Love helping animals? Do you believe that animals need a voice? Or do YOU have what it takes to be a filmmaker? If this describes you [or doesn't] then I have an OFFER for you, that you just can't turn down. 

Materials:

1. Camera

2. Heart

3. Love for animals

PLEASE participate in this nationwide contest to help animals. Judges include Ben Stein, who will choose the best video via YouTube, contest expires 10/22/09!!!

Want to RESCUE animals for FREE?

If you are like me and want to rescue animals, but looking for a free and EASY way to do it, just click here EVERYDAY.

 

ALERT: Fight for Tax Break for Pet Care Costs

We all want to give our animal companions the best care we possibly can, but it seems that pet care costs are always on the rise—and these days, it’s harder than ever to stretch the family budget. That’s why the ASPCA supports H.R. 3501, which would amend U.S. tax code to allow qualifying pet care expenses, including veterinary care, to be tax-deductible.

This means that when you prepare your income taxes, money you spent on pet care that year would count as non-taxable income—and you can deduct up to $3,500 per year! 

U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter has introduced the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (“HAPPY”) Act, legislation to allow individuals to claim tax deductions for qualified pet care expenses. The bill would allow any taxpayer who legally owns one or more domesticated animals to take an annual income tax deduction of up to $3,500 for pet care expenses, including veterinary care costs.

Pet care can be expensive—and in these trying economic times, families all over the country have been forced to give up their pets because of financial hardship. The HAPPY Act is important because it will help Americans provide their pets with the medical attention and quality of life they deserve, while also ensuring that more pets get to remain in their loving homes and don’t wind up on the streets or in the already overburdened shelter system.

Please help us support the HAPPY Act, H.R. 3501. 

Click here to sign the petition: HAPPY Act