SEATTLE – The annual “Home 4 the Holidays,” has officially begun for this year both nationally and locally. The “Home 4 the Holidays” campaign raises awareness of the joys of owning shelter-adopted pets. Each year, the campaign’s goal is to place all orphaned animals in homes during the holiday season. More than 3,500 pet adoption centers nationwide participate in this annual effort.

“Last year’s ‘Home 4 the Holidays’ was a tremendous success,” says Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “More than a million orphaned animals were matched with loving families nationwide, including hundreds here in Seattle. Our goal this year is to find homes for all orphaned animals in our shelter. We’re hoping families in Seattle have room in their hearts and homes for a pet for this holiday season and all of the holidays to come.”

During the gift-giving season, animal lovers can also consider giving Seattle Animal Shelter gift certificates to help subsidize the adoption of a four-legged companion from the shelter.

“If you know somebody who is looking for a pet, a gift certificate makes a lot of sense rather than trying to find the right pet. With a gift certificate from our shelter you can give one of our orphaned animals a second chance in life and the recipient of the certificate can take the time to choose that special pet from an amazing variety of dogs and cats, from mixed breeds to purebreds. Finally, by adopting from a shelter, you directly help reduce the suffering caused by the country’s tremendous pet overpopulation problem,” says Jordan.

Adopting an animal from the Seattle Animal Shelter saves that animal’s life and reduces unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals. It is also a tremendous value. Adoption packages range from $60 to $165, depending on animal and gender and whether or not the animal is licensed in Seattle. The package includes:

· Initial vaccinations

· Deworming

· Free health exam at a local veterinarian’s office

· Spay or neuter

· Microchip

· Seattle Pet License (if applicable)

“Home 4 the Holidays” began in November 1999 when the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., organized all 14 shelters in San Diego County to work together to find homes for orphaned pets during the holiday season. As a result 2,563 orphaned dogs and cats woke up New Year’s morning in their new homes.

To purchase a gift certificate, make a donation, talk with an adoption counselor or preview animals for adoption, please visit the Animal Shelter at 2061 – 15th Ave. W., approximately one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, and from 9 a.m. for licensing. For more information, please call (206) 386-PETS (7387). Information and photos of animals currently available for adoption are posted on the shelter’s web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

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