In this rapidly increasing age of technology the postage stamp still plays an important role in not only moving mail from one destination to another, but in symbolizing a message of awareness. On April 30th, the United States Postal Service (USPS/http://www.usps.com/) will begin selling the new "Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet" stamps.
On March 17th, Postmaster General John E. Potter joined talk show hostess and actress Ellen DeGeneres on her show to unveil the latest "social awareness" stamp that includes pictures of animals adopted from shelters. USPS is working on the "Stamps to the Rescue" campaign (http://stampstotherescue.com/) with Ellen and Halo (www.halopets.com/), a natural pet care products company she co-owns, to bring attention to more people about the millions of pets in shelters that need to find their forever homes. Halo will be donating one million meals to animal shelters around the country.
Look at the faces on the stamps and then ask yourself how could you possibly resist giving a shelter animal a home. Like Trevor, a yellow Labrador retriever found abandoned at a new home construction site or Willow, a gray Maltese cat who was left in a box at the door of a shelter. However, before making that decision to go to the shelter or a rescue group to adopt, make sure your home and family is ready for this lifetime commitment.
According to the SPCA of Central Florida website (http://www.ohs-spca.org/), pets have arrived in their ". . . shelter because their former owners were unable, or unwilling, to continue with that (lifetime) commitment. When deciding about adopting a pet, please take your time with this decision. Carefully consider your family's ability to provide the food, medical care, exercise, shelter - and love - that this companion animal will need for its lifetime."
As part of the USPS Rescue campaign, the following "basics" on adopting a pet are highlighted:
1. GET A GREAT PET. Shelter staff make sure the animals up for adoption are healthy, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered while doing their best to also make sure they're well-socialized before going to a new home;
2. GET THE ANIMAL YOU WANT. Shelters have a great selection of animals - - including purebreds. Rescue groups can also provide the type of specific pet and breed you may be looking for;
3. SAVE MONEY FOR KIBBLE. Non-government shelters are non-profit organizations whose fees to cover an animal's care are often much less than prices charged by pet stores and breeders. Moreover, since most shelters spay and neuter pets you'll be saving on initial vet bills;
4. FEEL BETTER. There are studies that show spending time with an animal can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Even more so caring for a pet creates a loving relationship and trust that lasts for years; and
5. SAVE A LIFE OR NINE. Last, and most importantly, you'll be saving an animal's life. Up to four million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized every year because of a shortage of shelter space for the overwhelming number of animals they receive.
Remember, before you go on this lifelong adventure, make sure you and your family make the commitment to provide the time, energy and money needed to care for your new best friend. It will be well worth it as animal people across the country, and even the world, can attest with a big smile on their faces.
The next time you're in the post office, or see your local mail carrier, thank them for being a part of this campaign. There will be thirty million "Rescue" stamps on sale April 30th. Do your part by spreading the word, buying the stamps, and then if you can take the next step by adopting a new four-legged friend from a shelter to be his or her forever family.
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