The happy faces of ten shelter dogs and cats will stare from postage stamps on letters and packages in the mail to raise public awareness of pet overpopulation and the plight of shelter animals. The United States Postal Service is issuing these commemorative stamps so that more Americans will know about the millions of shelter pets that need good homes.
The ten postage stamp pets are happy because they have all been adopted into good homes. But millions of other dogs and cats across America, are not so lucky. They are the sweet, adorable animals who enter shelters and dog pounds every day, and die there.
Stamps Encourage Adoption of Shelter Pets
Approximately half of all shelter animals are euthanized to make room for more because there simply is no place for them to go, not enough homes to go around. Every puppy and kitten that is born adds to this serious problem of pet overpopulation, whether they end up in a shelter or go to a home that could have saved a pet from shelter euthanasia.
The answer is aggressive adoption and spay/neuter programs.
Of the 2010 social awareness stamp, Postmaster John E. Potter says, “This campaign will increase public awareness about sheltered pets and our hope is that it will encourage pet adoption and promote humane and responsible pet care.”
Shelter Dogs and Cats on Stamps
The five dogs and five cats featured on the stamps were photographed in New Milford, Connecticut by photographer Sally Anderson-Bruce. Dogs featured are:
- Teddy, a Wirehaired Jack Russell
- Trevor, a Yellow Lab
- Buddy, a Golden Retriever
- Bindi Su, an Australian Shepherd
- Jake, a Boston terrier
Cats featured are:
- Willow, a Maltese
- Bianca, a Calico
- Peaches, Gray, white and tan
- Frankie, a Siamese
- Lucas, Orange tabby
Stamps to the Rescue and Ellen DeGeneres
The Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps were introduced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and DeGeneres has teamed up with the USPS in a promotional campaign called Stamps to the Rescue. Ellen and a holistic pet care company she co-owns, called Halo, Purely for Pets, are also giving one million meals to shelter pets.
How to Buy Shelter Pet Stamps
The Animal Rescue stamps can be ordered online or by calling 1.800.782.6724. They will be available in post offices nationwide on April 30, 2010. The Stamps to the Rescue Campaign suggests buying the stamps, adopting a shelter pet, and volunteering at a shelter to make a difference in the plight of shelter animals.
View the shelter pet stamps at Stamps to the Rescue.
Learn about the risks of buying pet store and internet puppies.
Find out how to get free dog food with a shelter dog adoption.
A significant percentage of shelter dogs are purebred but read why mixed breeds can be a wonderful choice as well.
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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