For
Immediate Release:
April
30, 2012
Contact:
Wendy
Wegner 202-483-7382
Rescued Film Star Is Group's Poster Dog for 'Adopt, Don't Buy' Campaign
Los Angeles -- Ten years before capturing the hearts of audiences around the world, The Artist's Uggie was a rambunctious puppy who was passed off by two guardians who were unprepared for the Jack Russell terrier's endless energy. But dog trainer Omar Von Muller stepped in to prevent Uggie from being passed on again and possibly ending up homeless and soon fell in love with his fearless, playful attitude. Now, to help other dogs achieve their own rags-to-riches stories, the award-winning pooch is starring in a brand-new PETA ad (available here) that proclaims, "I'm Uggie, and I Was Adopted. Millions of Dogs Are Waiting in Animal Shelters for a Loving Home. Adopt, Don't Buy."
"Animal shelters are full to the brim with dogs and cats who are waiting for the opportunity to become the star of a loving family," says PETA Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA encourages everyone who is considering welcoming a canine companion into their family to save a life by adopting a homeless animal from an animal shelter—and never patronizing breeders or pet stores."
While breeders continue to produce more puppies for profit, an estimated 6 to 8 million unwanted dogs and cats are abandoned in U.S. animal shelters every year, and half of them must be euthanized because there simply aren't enough good homes for them. In addition to adopting, people can help minimize the number of homeless cats and dogs by ensuring that their animals are spayed or neutered—a simple procedure that saves millions of lives.
Uggie received the Palm Dog Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and a special mention at the Prix Lumière Awards in France.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
