Animal Lovers Unite with Rescue Facilities to Light Up the World for Orphan Pets
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2014) – In the wake of last year’s overwhelming global support, Helen Woodward Animal Center, in partnership with Blue Buffalo and Embrace Pet Insurance, is uniting with animal lovers and animal welfare organizations worldwide for the 2nd Annual Remember Me Thursday candle-lighting ceremony. The candles, lit on the exact same day globally, honor the millions of pets who lost their lives over the past year without the benefit of a loving home, and draw attention to the fact that millions more are still in need of permanent homes. Helen Woodward Animal Center encourages the community to take part at scheduled ceremonies or online Thursday, September 25th, 2014.
The first Remember Me Thursday took place on the fourth Thursday in September, 2013. Approximately 3.4 million homeless pets lose their lives annually according The Humane Society of the U.S.; moved by this staggering statistic, Helen Woodward Animal Center President Mike Arms put out a call to rescue organizations in an attempt to create a global awareness campaign. As creator of both the International Pet Adoptathon and the International Home 4 the Holidays program that, in partnership with national animal organizations, has placed 9.3 million pets in homes since 1999, Arms was able to send out an expansive request, and the response was significant. Over 100,000 individuals in 139 countries united to support the movement around the globe, holding candle-lighting ceremonies of their own, spreading the message through social media, visiting the Remember Me Thursday website or lighting a virtual candle. Celebrity support arrived in the form of impactful social media posts and re-tweets.
Now in its second year, the Remember Me Thursday campaign is only growing in support with multiple candle-lighting ceremonies and special events already being organized internationally. “Only 30% of pets in U.S. homes come from rescue facilities,” stated Arms. “Lighting a candle this September 25th will bring awareness to these wonderful orphan pets, and can help in increasing adoptions and decreasing euthanasia.”
Grass roots programs and events sprung up around the world, in such countries as: Germany, Mexico, Canada, Spain, the Philippines, Japan, Puerto Rico, Australia, the United Kingdom, and more. Nearly 5,000 candles were lit at the Remember Me Thursday virtual candle gallery, while thousands more were lit at ceremonies honoring orphan pets around the globe.
Remember Me Thursday asks organizations and individuals to dedicate the fourth Thursday of September, annually, to remembering the millions of homeless pets who lost their lives over the last year. By uniting in this way, the worldwide awareness campaign hopes to shine a light on the millions of healthy and loving orphan pets still awaiting adoption. Individuals can get involved by attending a candle-lighting ceremony at their local shelter, or assisting with organizing one; lighting a virtual candle online at www.remembermethursday.org; changing their Facebook profile pictures to the Remember Me Thursday icon all day, September 25th; spreading the word about Remember Me Thursday on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels using #LIGHTFORPETS; and most importantly by always adopting, and encouraging friends and family to do the same. For a full list of current participating celebrities and animal welfare organizations, click HERE.
About Remember Me Thursday
Animal lovers and organizations across the globe unite on the 4th Thursday of September to light a candle in remembrance of the millions of orphan pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home, and to shine a light on the millions of orphan pets still waiting for their forever homes. The Remember Me Thursday global awareness campaign is championed by Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center, and creator of both the International Pet Adoptathon and International Home 4 The Holidays program which, in partnership with national animal organizations, has placed 9.3 million pets in homes since 1999. For more information, please visit www.remembermethursday.org.
About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals, and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually through adoptions and educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Blue Buffalo Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, please visit: www.animalcenter.org.
About Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Company, located in Wilton, CT, is the nation’s leading pet food company, and provides a complete line of healthy and holistic natural foods and treats for dogs and cats. Blue Buffalo products are sold nationwide. For more information, visit BlueBuffalo.com.
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is a specialist insurance company focused on changing the pet insurance business. Embrace provides flexible cat and dog health insurance products, removing the need to choose between necessary, but costly, medical care versus the life of a much-loved pet. Embrace is a privately owned, Ohio-based company, and is one of the most highly rated pet insurance companies in the industry. For more information, visit www.embracepetinsurance.com.
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Contact:
Jessica Gercke
Helen Woodward Animal Center, PR Manager
(858) 756-4117 x 335
