VANCOUVER, DEC. 9/04 - Just in time for Christmas and the Holidays, "Snoopy", the world's most famous dog, Global Television, Paramount Home Video and The Humane Society of Canada have teamed up to send people a light hearted message about adopting pets at this festive time of year, according to Al Hickey, Western Regional Director for The Humane Society of Canada (HSC).
Created by Charles Schulz, Charlie Brown's dog, "Snoopy", first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters. "Snoopy" and his canine brother, "Spike", star in the new Peanuts special: "I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown," which is available in stores right now.
"A 30 second public service announcement featuring Global Television's Cheryl Hickey, Snoopy and some of his canine friends delivers a wonderful message about our four legged friends and the love and care they need as members of our family," he says.
A QuickTime version of the PSA can be found here.
A Windows Media Player version of the PSA can be found here.
The Humane Society of Canada has provided a list of ten tips for adopting a pet which can be found here, and a limited number of posters are available. "We want to thank Cheryl Hickey, Jackie Feig, Jackie Moss and Canwest Interactive at Global Television; and we'd also like to thank Charles Schulz, Paramount Home Video; and Naomi Strasser and Wendy Reid at Aerial Communications for helping us get this important message out", says Michael O'Sullivan, the charity's Executive Director.
"Many people think that a friend or family member would love to receive a surprise present at this time of year. While people on the receiving end of the furry gift will likely be surprised, people need to remember that choosing a pet who will become a part of your family for many years is an extremely personal decision. Our experience has shown that it always better to let the people who will be living with the animals for the next 15 or 20 years make that choice," says O'Sullivan.
Thoughtful Alternatives to Giving Pets as Presents
- Surprise your friends or family with the idea of getting a pet that they personally select at an appropriate time by wrapping something the animal will need. Items can include: water/food bowls, pet care books, leash, collar, etc. Buying an HSC first aid kit will help in many ways. Not only could it save their pet's life some day, but the money spent buying the kit will help lots of other animals in need and reminds people that animals need love and care.
- Give a card indicating that you will accompany the person, when they are ready for a pet, to the animal shelter or pound and help pay for the animal or to have the animal spayed/neutered at an appropriate time.
- Make a donation, in the recipient's name, to a charity like The Humane Society of Canada that helps pets here.
- Provide practical information pertaining to the care, costs, responsibilities and commitment involved in raising a pet. Don't forget dogs can live for 15 years or more while cats can live for 20 years - even longer!
O'Sullivan whose family has a houseful of pets, including a 19 year old cat, says: "Each one of them has brought us tremendous joy and happiness. They give us so much and ask for so little in return. In every community across Canada, more than 15 million pets share our homes and our hearts. This holiday season, please help your friends and families chose their new family members, instead of trying to make that choice for them."
CONTACT: Al Hickey or Michael O'Sullivan by toll free 1-800-641-KIND or Michael on his cell phone (416) 876-9685 or at www.humanesociety.com
[For more than 17 years, Al Hickey was the Chief Executive of the BC SPCA and before that headed up the Alberta and BC Chambers of Commerce, and the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vancouver. He has 6 grandchildren.
A father with two small children, and a houseful of dogs and cats, O'Sullivan has worked in Canada and in over 85 countries during the last 30 years helping people, animals and nature.]
The Humane Society works to protect dogs, cats, horses, birds, livestock, lab animals, wildlife and the environment. They carry out hands on programs to help animals and nature, mount rescue operations, expose cruelty through hard hitting undercover investigations, work to pass laws to protect animals, fund scientific research, support animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres and spread the word about how to help animals and nature through humane education.
The Humane Society of Canada depends entirely on donations to support our programs to help animals and the environment. All donations are gratefully acknowledged with a receipt for income tax purposes. If you would like to support our campaigns to protect animals and the environment please make a donation here.
BACKGROUND
This holiday season, ABC will premiere an all-new animated "PEANUTS" Christmas special. Produced and animated by the same team that gave us the now classic "PEANUTS" specials from the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz's famed comic strip, "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" will air TUESDAY DECEMBER 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, EST) on The ABC Television Network.
"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" centres on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It's Christmas vacation and, as usual, ReRun's big sister is stressing him out, so he decides to turn to his best friend, Snoopy, for amusement and holiday cheer. However his faithful but unpredictable beagle companion has plans of his own, giving ReRun reason to ask Snoopy to invite his canine brother Spike for a visit. When Spike shows up, it looks like ReRun will have a dog for Christmas after all... but then the real trouble begins.
"PEANUTS" focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.
The cast of "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" includes Jimmy Bennett as ReRun, Adam Taylor Gordon as Charlie Brown, Ashley Rose Orr as Lucy Van Pelt, Corey Padnos as Linus Van Pelt, Hannah Leigh Dworkin as Sally, Nick Price as Schroeder, Jake Miner as Pig Pen/Franklin, Kaitlyn Maggio as the little girl and Bill Melendez as Snoopy.
"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson. The animation was produced by Bill Melendez and directed by Bill Melendez and Larry Leichlite. The music was written by Vince Guaraldi and David Benoit and performed and arranged by David Benoit. Animation is by Eddy Houchins, Shawn Cashman and Dave Brain.
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