To raise awareness for pet adoption, the folks at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) have invited some of my Home 4 the Holidays buddies to ring today’s closing bell! This is the 5th year that we’ve participated in the bell ringing—and you can watch it today LIVE on the NYSE web site! Live steaming will start at 3:59 PM EST.
Representing Iams Home 4 the Holidays on the NYSE podium will be our friends from the Helen Woodward Animal Center and Bideawee. Joining the group will be our Adoption Angel Jack and his pooch Jane (Jack adopted Jane from Bideawee). Rounding out this group are Yeechin and Neelam, two of my teammates from Iams (I am SO jealous that they got to go!)
My good buddy, Nancy Taylor (who runs Bideawee) will also bring some of Bideawee’s adoptable orphans. They’ll be down on the trading floor prior to the bell-ringing looking for perspective pet parents. Last year, all the orphaned dogs and cats that came for the bell ringing were adopted by folks on the trading floor (after going through Bideawee’s standard adoption process, of course). I hope that happens this year, too!
Someone will be taking photos—and I’ll post them here as soon as I get them.
The last week of October we had a celebration at the office for Iams Home 4 the Holidays. And omidog did I have a great time!
It started as I was walking from my car to the building. Just outside the door I recognized my first celebrity of the day: Munch! Yes, Munch, that gorgeous Bulldog featured in Iams commercials was just returning from a walk on his way inside to the party. Unfortunately, I didn’t have Tyler with me. However, I had the next best thing—Flat Tyler!
Munch is such a character, and seemed to enjoy meeting Flat Tyler!
Moving into the celebration area, I ran into one of my most favorite people (also my hero), Mike Arms! Mike came to us from his home base at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego.
Mike Arms and Flat Tyler
I’ve been very lucky these past 2 months to be able to spend some quality time with Mike—first at BlogPaws West, and now at our celebration.
In case you’ve never heard of him, Mike Arms is the founder of Home 4 the Holidays, and a major force in pet adoption. In some respects, he’s turned the traditional shelter upside down by re-thinking how a shelter should be organized and funded. Be sure to check out:
The ACES workshops where shelter workers and volunteers can learn how to apply business techniques to pet adoptions—for free.
Club Pet Boarding a great hotel destination for San Diego’s canine, feline and exotic family members.
Nearly everyone was seated as Munch strutted his stuff down the audience aisle. He got loads of applause!
Everybody wanted to get their photos taken with Munch. But first, Munch had to show his support of pet adoption by putting on an Iams Home 4 the Holidays Adoption Advocate hat.
Munch is an advocate for adoption.
Munch was first on the list of celebrities at our celebration because he had an appointment at a Bulldog Specialty Show being held to the south of us in Kentucky. He spent quality time with everybody—and lots of photos were taken.
Flat Tyler helps with the photos.
Just before Munch had to leave, Krissie and Ryan Newman arrived! Are you a NASCAR fan? If you’ve never heard of NASCAR all you need to know is that Ryan drives the #39 Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing and he is awesome on the track! Krissie is vice president of the Ryan Newman Foundation, and one of the Foundation’s interests is animal welfare.
Flat Tyler (with Michel Brousset in the background) just can’t pass up a photo op!
So with all of our celebrities present, it was time to take some photos. Munch seemed to be having a little trouble focusing until we realized that he was looking at Flat Tyler, who was on the seat next to me in the front row. Once we put Flat Tyler behind the photographer’s head, Munch was eager to look at the camera!
Mike Arms and Krissie & Ryan Newman listen to Michel Brousset, Marketing Director for P&G Pet Care.
After the photos we all settled down to listen to what our visiting friends had to say. First, Michel Brousset said a few words of welcome to our guests, and then introduced Mike Arms.
“Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets.”
When Mike was finished, we heard from the Newmans–they have SIX dogs! All of them are shelter/rescue pooches. Ryan and Krissie have been vocal advocates for animal welfare for the past few years. Krissie told us about a recent Foundation fundraiser for spay/neuter, a book titled “Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets.” This book is way beyond cute! It’s got all kinds of photos and stories about your favorite NASCAR driver and the pets who share their lives. A second book has also been published titled “The Second Lap” which expands into the pets of the fans, and the behind the scenes folks involved with NASCAR. The second book is also a fund raiser for animal welfare.
Flat Tyler listens to the Newmans
Their passion for pets and pet adoptions makes the Newman Foundation a natural fit with Iams Home 4 the Holidays. Krissie told us how Mike Arms had been an inspiration for her and her work with the Foundation. In fact, she told us that Mike has been advising her on her visions and goals for their Foundation.
Flat Tyler insisted on having his photo taken with the Newmans!
After the Newmans spoke, our guy Michel got back up and asked Mike Arms to join him.
Mike Arms receives the "Iams Lifetime Hero Achievement Award"
Mike had no idea that he was about to receive the “Iams Lifetime Hero Achievement Award” in recognition of his commitment and extraordinary contributions to enhancing the lives of homeless animals for more than 30 years. In addition, Michel announced the creation of the annual “Mike Arms/Iams Hero Award.”
Mike Arms is a Lifetime Hero!
Every year, the Mike Arms/Iams Hero Award will be presented to a person or animal organization that exemplifies the commitment and passion for the lives of orphaned animals similar to what Arms has been doing for so many years.
Michel presents the check
Next, Michel presented a contribution of $50,000 to the Ryan Newman Foundation and announced a partnership between Iams and the Foundation to further animal welfare issues on and off the race track—how cool is that!!!
After the presentations were over we had time for photos and some “meet and greet.” What a perfect way to celebrate Iams Home 4 the Holidays 2010!
Tyler’s tail is wagging. My tail is mostly stationary, but I’ve got a big grin on my face!
Iams Home 4 the Holidays Weekly Roundup
We’re now two weeks into Iams Home 4 the Holidays, and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the bloggers out there, plugging away on the interwebz, who have taken the time to write about it. So here is a round-up of all the blog posts I’ve found from October 1 to October 14, that talk about Iams Home 4 the Holidays. (Note: I’ve had some computer issues lately. This post was actually supposed to go live last Friday morning.) If I missed anybody, let me know and I’ll add them to the next “Wagging our Tails” post. All of these blogs will be added to Tyler’s Heroes.
Tyler’s Heroes
I’ve created a brand new blog roll, just below my profile photo and the IH4tH logo that I’m calling Tyler’s Heroes. Since IH4tH is all about getting orphaned pets adopted, I thought I’d name my new blog roll after my own little adopted fluff boy–Tyler comes to me by way of Small Paws Rescue. The listed blogs are our heroes because they care about helping orphaned pets find furever homes. The Tyler’s Heroes blog roll will remain as part of my blog until September 30, 2011 (when I’ll start a new list of Heroes for IH4tH 2011).
The Kick Off!
Our press release announcing the start of Iams Home 4 the Holidays hit the net on October 1, and bloggers picked up on it right away. One of my favorites is What Would a Dog Do–check out the blog’s banner! I love it! Another great site talking about Iams Home 4 the Holidays is If It Breathes…. What a great name for a blog that’s all about animals!
From Houston, we heard from Houston Pet Talk. And out of Austin, Texas, Teeny’s Friends included photos of our Adoption Angels and their new family members. Teeny’s Friends is devoted to providing toys for needy anipals–and the blog makes it easy for readers to participate.
Daisy Mae sent me (PetCareBev) a hello in her post over at Daisy Mae Mause and the Feline Americans–be sure you play with Virtual Daisy Mae Mause! And–OMIDOG!–we got a mention on PetConnection! To me, PetConnection is like the New York Times/Wall Street Journal of the online pet community–just my opinion.
I found a very thoughtful blog post over at Reigning Cats and Dogs that talks about the tools Iams Home 4 the Holidays provides to shelters. This blogger lives in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia–and is a big supporter of adoption in that region.
With a blog name like Snorable.org, you know it’s going to be fun! Snorable posted one of our videos–the first time that Jack (one of our Adoption Angels) met Jane at Bideawee.
Paris Grace over at DogTipper.com wrote a very nice article about our campaign–DogTipper has a boatload of information on everything dog! [edit note: I thought Paris made the post, but on closer look it was actually Grace.]
One of my favorite blogs (and one of the first I started reading with regularity), Thoughts Fur Paws, has 2-count-’em-2 contests going on! I don’t know where Jaime got the prizes from, but they’re HUGE! She’s got gift cards and toys and cameras and one of her contests raises money for pet charities! (Full disclosure: Iams sponsored Jaime at BlogPaws West 2010).
Blog of the Week
Pet News and Views is a blog that I recently started reading. I like this blog because the blogger (Michele) writes like a good, old-fashioned reporter–she checks her facts, she listens to details, she doesn’t “sensationalize” in order to get readers. And she has a passion for pet adoption. Be sure to check out Iams Home 4 the Holidays Challenge and Where We Get Our Pets. (Full disclosure: Iams sponsored Michele at BlogPaws West 2010.)
Coming Up
This round up of Iams Home 4 the Holidays blog posts covers October 1 through October 14. If I missed somebody, please leave a comment and I’ll be sure to include them in my next Wagging Tails post!
WOO HOO!!! Iams Home 4 the Holidays is off and running! We’re gonna help 1.5 million orphaned pets find new homes!!
I LOVE these PSAs–I think they’re the best ones we’ve ever done! And my experience with Tyler this past June really showed me that these PSAs are a very true representation of what it’s like to bring a new furry family member home for the first time.
Enjoy!
and
[note: I mistakenly referred to these lovely videos as "ads" instead of what they really are--"PSAs," so I've made a correction in my post. ---Bev 10/15/10]
There are 3,500 animal organizations worldwide participating!
As Mike Arms says,
“Pet homelessness is an epidemic in our country and many animal organizations look to programs like Iams Home 4 the Holidays to help drive families to our centers to see these amazing animals. We’ve been a part of the adoption drive for 12 years now and have really seen the benefit of what this program can do for animals, our employees and the families who adopt.”
If you’re not in a position to adopt a new furry family member, consider making regular visits to our Facebook page. Our official “Adoption Angels”–Jack in New York and Meaghan in Saskatoon–are two new pet parents who will be posting about their personal journeys of adoption as they integrate their new four-legged family member into the home.
Jack and Jane, Their First Meeting
Also, when you visit the Facebook page and “Like” the page itself, or the various messages, photos, videos, etc. posted by the Adoption Angels, we (Iams) will donate up to 100 meals per “Like” or comment to feed orphaned animals. Our goal is 5 millions bowls of food!
Iams Home 4 the Holidays strives to educate about the importance of adoption so that every pet adopted goes to a permanent, loving home. Families who adopt through the program will receive an Iams adoption kit loaded with important information about nutrition, training and proper care to ensure that the relationship with the new animal starts off on the right paw.
My best buddy Karen is doing something incredible this weekend. Something I really admire. She’s going to walk 60 miles in 3 days!
Karen (also known as “The Food Lady” on Skeezix’s Scratching Post) will be joining other walkers in San Francisco this weekend to do the the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure™. She’s been in training for months, looks FABULOUS, and she’s ready to walk 60 miles in 3 days. Incredible!
Karen, I wish you all the best on this adventure! And I have such admiration for your focus and for your many gifts. I’m so glad I know you!
To give you a flavor of the delight that is Karen, here is an interview she did a few weeks ago at BlogPaws West. Notice that Karen is wearing some charming pink cats-eye glasses. When I had the honor to introduce Mike Arms at the first morning keynote, the first thing I saw as I got to the podium was Karen (right up front as usual) looking very serious in those glasses. Totally blew my concentration, I wanted to laugh so hard! But I have to say, Karen looks fabulous in pink!
Whew! By the time I get this posted, all the tools will be packed up, the paint brushes washed, and everyone will be on their way home after a long day of working to make the Cincinnati SPCA’s Colerain shelter sparkle and shine!
What did we accomplish?
Inside the gazebo
Prior to today, we had some contractors come in and do the stuff that needed professional expertise. The parking lot was resurfaced. Old fencing that was topped with barbwire was replaced with more friendly fencing. Old, rotting railroad ties which used to surround flower beds were removed and replaced with paving stones. And new flower beds and landscaped areas were situated. The design team sketched in the murals. Fixtures for hanging plants and large planting urns were installed. Kennel walls and floors went from battle ship gray to bright beige with several new coats of a special epoxy paint that doggie nails won’t scruff up. Improvements were made to the laundry area by taking down one wall and adding counter top and storage space. And a truck load of Eukanuba was delivered to stock the pantry.
We've left our mark.
Today we installed all the new plants to the flower beds and landscape areas. Then we mulched them. We filled all the hanging pots and large urns with beautiful plant arrangements. We completed 5 wall murals. We created 2 new meet and greet areas where people will meet orphan pets needing adoption–one area complete with gazebo! A generous layer of wood chips were put down in areas where pets will walk as they make the acquaintanceship of their new families.
Creating a showcase for beautiful pets!
Why was this important to do?
For just a moment, let me be a little corporate: Our mission (Iams/Eukanuba) is to enhance the well being of more dogs and cats. Doing this shelter makeover gives us an opportunity to really get in touch with that mission.
And it gets us excited about Iams Home 4 the Holidays–which starts on October 1!
But also, this makeover is important because it gives this 1960′s shelter a more friendly and inviting presence in the community. By making the front of the shelter look pretty with landscaping, by making the kennels look nicer with bright colors, we showcase the value of the pets found here. These dogs and cats are worthy of a beautiful facility, just as they are worthy of forever homes.
End-of-the-day!
Having beautiful packaging (a good looking facility) makes the product (those sweet orphan pets) more desirable in the eyes of the consumer (the new pet parents).
I can feel the energy humming! It’s time to get some pets adopted!
We’re just a few weeks away from the start of Iams Home 4 the Holidays, and the excitement has started to build! Our goal this year is 1.5 million orphan pets adopted into furever homes!
Today, nearly every Pet Care employee at our Mason headquarters will spend the day away from business to participate in “Paws for a Cause III.” It’s become a September tradition, here at P&G Pet Care, to do a shelter makeover as our “kick off” for Iams Home 4 the Holidays.
Our shelter this year is the Cincinnati SPCA on Colerain Avenue. This is not their main facility, but it’s an important satellite shelter. This makeover will not only improve life for pets at the shelter, but it will also enhance the adoption experience for people who give the pets their furever homes.
To give you some idea of what we will be doing, here’s a video of our first shelter makeover in 2008:
And here are some photos of how the day has started.
Our favorite DJ, Mr. KPZ, is cranking the tunes to keep us moving!
Dan Rajczak presents a check to shelter CEO Harold Dates
Project leaders pull their work groups together
Dan Rajczak, walking the talk!
Waiting to be planted!
Alison and Dr. Amy
This group is ready to get to work!
Grab a donut and some coffee, the work starts soon!
Pricila is one of the organizers for this shelter makeover.
As you may know, I work for P&G Pet Care in Consumer Relations. I’m writing this blog post to get some important information out to pet parents—particularly those who feed their cats Iams Canned Cat food.
Today we are announcing the voluntary recall of specific lots of Iams Canned Cat Foods in North America as a precautionary measure. Some of this product does not meet quality standards due to low levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a water soluble vitamin. It plays a role in a number of body functions including metabolism and energy, as well as supporting the nervous system. It is found in meats and vegetables and is also supplemented in pet foods to ensure a complete and balanced diet.
This recall is limited to only Iams Canned Cat Food. No other products are involved.
Health concerns would be limited primarily to cases where pet owners have been feeding their cat only canned, wet food.
