· As many as 8 million animals will be placed in shelters this year — only half will find a home.
· October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, AND it's a time when adoption rates are notoriously low.
· Three out of four dogs entering shelters are in need of grooming, but due to limited supplies, only two will receive it.
Why is grooming so important? Clean, healthy dogs are more likely to find forever homes. So, to give shelter dogs a better chance at a fresh start, Petfinder Foundation and Wahl are teaming up to get 10,000 dogs washed & ready for adoption. Below (and attached) is a release with more information about the initiative, including a nationwide Dirty Dogs contest where dog parents can win $5,000 for their local shelter.
wahl® and petfinder foundation do the 'dirty work' to clean out
america's shelters
-- Dirty Dogs initiative to help 10,000 dogs get cleaned up and ready this National Dog Adoption Month –
STERLING, Ill. (September 27, 2013) – October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a time when dog adoption rates are historically low. To help clean out America's shelters, two pet industry leaders, Wahl and Petfinder Foundation, are addressing a dirty issue about pet adoption, and in the process giving thousands of shelter dogs a fresh start.
"Grooming is important to the health of our pets, but it's critical to the adoption of dogs who are abandoned to shelters and need new families," said Karen Hollish, program marketing manager for Petfinder Foundation, "While there are many hurdles to dog adoption, one of the ongoing challenges rescue groups and shelters face is access to much-needed grooming supplies."
According to a recent survey conducted by Petfinder Foundation, three out of four dogs entering pet shelters today are in need of grooming, but due to limited supplies and resources, only two of them will receive it. As for the impact of grooming on dog adoption, 73 percent of adopters start the process online, visiting websites such as Petfinder or their local animal rescue website to view profile photos of available dogs. Left unkempt, these dogs' chances of making it rest on the hope that those looking to adopt can look past their dirty or shaggy exterior.
In response, Wahl, a leading manufacturer of pet grooming products, and the Petfinder Foundation are helping 10,000 dogs get washed and ready for adoption this October. To do this, Wahl is donating approximately 1,000 bottles of its All-natural Pet Shampoo to shelters nationwide to help with the clean-up effort.
"We look forward to working with the Petfinder Foundation on such an important initiative," said Shay Moeller, product manager for Wahl Clipper. "As a pet industry leader, it's our responsibility to raise awareness of this issue and help our shelters give their animals the best possible chance of being adopted."
Bringing a Dirty Issue to Light
In addition to arming shelters across America with grooming supplies, Wahl and Petfinder Foundation are launching the Dirty Dogs Contest, an effort that encourages dog owners everywhere to get a little dirty to help clean out their local shelter this October.
During National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, pet owners can submit a photo of their dog at its dirtiest via the Dirty Dogs Contest on the Wahl Facebook page. The winner will receive a $5,000 grant for their favorite local shelter or rescue group, and the top two finalists will receive $1,000 for their favorite local shelter or rescue group. Wahl and Petfinder Foundation will announce the top 25 photos at the end of October, at which time fans vote for their favorites to determine the winner.
Dirty Dogs Contest prize packs include:
· First Place: The grand prize winner will receive a year's supply of Wahl pet grooming products, $100 gift card, plus $5,000 and grooming supplies awarded to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.
· Second and Third Place: Two second place winners will receive a Wahl grooming kit, $50 gift card, plus $1,000 and grooming supplies awarded to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.
More information on the Petfinder Foundation and pet adoption can be found at petfinderfoundation.com. To enter the Dirty Dogs Contest, or view the official rules, visit the Wahl Home Facebook page. For information on proper pet grooming and how Wahl pet products can help clean up your dog in the aftermath of mud puddles, dirt and tangles, visit wahlpets.com.
About Petfinder Foundation
The Petfinder Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity, helps homeless pets by saving lives through adoptions, helping shelters prepare for and recover from disaster and working to make sure animal welfare organizations across the country are more sustainable. Its mission is to ensure no adoptable pet is euthanized for lack of a home. Since 2003, the Foundation has provided over $20 million in grants to animal welfare organizations and Petfinder member shelters and rescue groups.
About Wahl
Now in its 95th year, Wahl Clipper Corporation is an international industry leader in the manufacturing of products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade, consumer personal care and animal grooming. Headquartered in Sterling, Ill. Wahl products are available in 165 countries and employees some 2,000 people worldwide. For more information about Wahl, visit wahl.com.
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