This Single Dad Is Waiting To Meet His Baby - Wait Until You See His Surprise

This has to be one of the most surprising TV ads I have ever seen. This is a commercial made by an energy corporation in Belgium known as Electrabel. It’s intended to showcase the importance of electricity in the modern family, but the star performers in this video are some miniature canines.

In the video you are about to watch, you will see a man with a dog waiting expectantly outside the operating room in a hospital. However, it turns out that the man actually isn’t the father. When the operating room door opens there’s a big bundle of surprises in the nurse’s arms.

The essence of the video is to show people how important electricity is to every household. Along the way, they have also successfully shown, wittingly or otherwise, how difficult it is to single-handedly raise multiple puppies. They can be quite a handful.

This Electrabel commercial is supposed to demonstrate the importance of electricity in our lives by showing how convenient and useful appliances are for raising a family. The parent dog in the video even utilized the microwave oven for heating the puppy formula. He also washed the dishes using a dishwasher, recorded adorable moments using a camera, and provided a train set that used electricity for playtime.

Enjoy the video below!

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Meet 'Fences for Fido' an Awesome Group of Volunteers Who Build FREE Fences for Dogs - Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington Areas

 Portland, Oregon - Fences For Fido, an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit, attends to all needs by building a fence, removing the chain, supplying a warm dog house, providing critical vet care and spay/neuter, and returning as needed to ensure the dog lives a safe, un-chained life. We are a 100% all-volunteer organization! We have NO paid staff!

Mission

To improve the quality of life for dogs living outdoors by removing chains, building fences, providing shelters, offering spay/neuter, and raising awareness about the physical, mental and emotional needs of dogs and why chaining a dog is inhumane and dangerous.

Awards

2009 News Maker of the Year: KGW TV and the Royal Rosarians
Several volunteers recognized as Hometown Heroes by local news station

Products

Six foot high welded wire fences
Wooden dog houses in various sizes w/ burlap sack dog beds filled w/cedar shavings
Spay/Neuter Surgeries for intact animals

Coordination, when possible, for help with re-homing animals.

Fences For Fido is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon building free fences for dogs living outdoors on chains, tethers or in small outdoor pens.  Our volunteers work in a large area of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.

Need a fence or know someone who does? - Request a fence online: http://www.fencesforfido.org/index.php/request-a-fence - Or call 503-621-9225
Fence requests can be made anonymously.

Join us at a build: www.fencesforfido.org/volunteering

PLEASE DONATE:  

Phone: 503-621-9225
Email: info@fencesforfido.org

Website: Fences for Fido



Video:

These volunteers are marking their 1,000th fence built to free dogs that are chained up and can't run free. For more information: 

This is what our volunteers do after the fence building is complete and the Fido is ready to be unchained. We make a large circle of love and, oh yeah, there might be some celebratory squeals as well. Welcome to our 'unchained pack' Cupcake; you are number One Thousand.

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The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in Burlingame, CA - Giving Free DNA Tests Under the Slogan "Who's Your Daddy?"

Burlingame, CA - A quarter of the dogs taken in by one California animal shelter look like Chihuahuas. So how do you make a pet stand out when it's similar to so many other dogs at the shelter? Check the DNA.

The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in Burlingame, a 30-minute drive south of San Francisco, began free DNA tests under the slogan "Who's Your Daddy?" Scott Delucchi, the shelter's senior vice president, came up with the idea to speed up adoptions of Chihuahua-centric dogs.

Because pets become part of the family, the $50 tests allow owners to find out the background of their pooches and certain traits they could exhibit. The tests also allow the shelter to get creative by coming up with clever breed names that can boost adoption odds.

For example, the Chihuahua-Australian shepherd-Jack Russell terrier-collie became a "Kiwi collier"; a Yorkshire terrier and beagle mix became a "Yorkle"; and a golden retriever-miniature pinscher-Chihuahua was proclaimed a "golden Chinscher."

In February, the shelter tested 12 lookalike dogs. One of the results was inconclusive, but 11 showed mutt combinations that the facility had never seen before. The tested dogs were all placed within two weeks — twice as fast as any 11 untested small, brown dogs in the previous months.

Twelve more dogs were tested, and once the last few in that group are placed, 24 more dogs will find out their breed backgrounds, Delucchi said.

In the two batches of tests, only 10 of 23 dogs had no Chihuahua in them. Chihuahuas took over from the glut of pit bull mixes that dominated the shelter until five or six years ago, Delucchi said.

There are a lot of reasons Chihuahuas became so popular, he said, citing Hollywood stars toting them in purses and the "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" movies.

Seeing one of the tiny dogs at the shelter changed Lynn Mazzola's mind about what kind of pet she wanted.

Mazzola of San Carlos, California, wanted a big dog, but 2-year-old, 6-pound Lily stole her heart. DNA results showed her that her new dog was part miniature pinscher, part Yorkie terrier and part Chihuahua, which the shelter dubbed a "Chorkie."

Knowing Lily's DNA gives you clues to her behavior, Mazzola said. For example, "it explains why she goes after birds and mice and she's not nervous like a Chihuahua," she said.

Mazzola's husband was about to undergo surgery and she wanted the dog to keep him company while he recovered.

After his operation, "he walked in the door, she ran up to him and hasn't been out of his lap since," Mazzola said of the dog that had been at the shelter for seven months.

The adoption promotion helped Lily, but it's going to take more than a gimmick to reduce the "alarming" number of Chihuahua mixes coming in, Delucchi said.

"Another part is making spay-neuter low-cost or free to the community," he said. "If you have a lot of one breed, you target that breed and those owners and make it easy for them to do the right thing and get them fixed."

He said facilities also work with states that need small dogs, such as Florida and New York, by flying in as many as they can handle.

Despite the promotion's tagline, the question that never gets answered is "Who's Your Daddy?" The DNA tests describe two parents, but they don't reveal which one is dad.

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The Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat

All cats and kittens should be either spayed or neutered unless the owner is in the business of raising purebred cats. The days of letting the family cat have a litter of kittens so that kids could observe the miracle of birth are long gone. Animal rescue groups have done an excellent job communicating the tragedy of homeless pets. Most people now realize that stray and feral cat overpopulation is an enormous problem.

According to 2008 stats from the Humane Society, there are approximately 88 million owned pet cats in the United States (more than dogs!). Nearly one third of all US households own a cat and on average most of those homes have two cats. Eighty seven percent of the pet cats in the U.S. are spayed or neutered. It's a very common procedure and there are many benefits.

What Is Spaying And Neutering?
Sterilizing a cat is known as neutering for males and spaying for females. Neutering a male cat is a fairly simple procedure performed by a professional veterinarian. The cat is placed under general anesthesia, and the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum. The incision is very small and stitches are usually not even necessary.

Spaying a female cat is a more involved and invasive procedure, and as such is often more expensive. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed after the cat is immobilized with general anesthesia. The operation is known as an ovario-hysterectomy. The abdominal area is shaved and the surgical wound usually only requires a few stitches.

Kittens should be spayed or neutered when they reach sexual maturity, which is usually between four and six months of age. However a cat can be safely spayed or neutered at any age, so even older adopted cats should have this procedure.

Some rescue organizations participate in a "catch and release" program where homeless cats are captured, neutered or spayed and released. This is considered more humane than euthanizing strays. The catch and release program is sometimes known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and the cats that are sterilized have part of one ear clipped. If you adopt a cat with a clipped ear, he or she has almost certainly been already spayed or neutered as a result of this effort.

Why Spay Or Neuter Your Cat?
There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your cat, and they extend to your pet, your family, your home and society in general.

Stray and feral cat overpopulation is a massive problem. The life of a homeless cat can be miserable and harsh. Feral cats also contribute to the destruction of other indigenous wildlife, especially birds.

Un-spayed female cats may be restless and noisy and exhibit other behavior problems.

Males who are not neutered (also known as Tom Cats) have many behavior problems, including a tendency to roam if allowed outside and a habit of spraying strong smelling urine inside the house to mark their territory.

Spayed and neutered cats generally have fewer health problems and a longer life expectancy.
Is there a downside to sterilizing your pet cat? Not really. Sometimes neutered males require slightly less food after the procedure so they don't gain weight. But most cats are healthier, happier and calmer if they've been spayed or neutered.

Fast Facts On Cat Sterilization
Most animal shelters and rescue groups require cats to be spayed or neutered before they will allow them to be adopted. The new owner should anticipate picking up the cost for this procedure.

The cost of spaying or neutering varies widely depending on the U.S. location, but will range from a low of $50 through a pet shelter to a high of $200 for a private veterinarian in a large urban area.

In most cases your cat will be able to come home the same day, especially if they are scheduled to be spayed or neutered in the morning.

For nervous cat owners who worry excessively about their beloved kitty, most vets are happy to call you after the procedure is over to let you know how your pet is doing.

Millions of beautiful cats and kittens are exterminated each year by animal shelters who can't find enough homes for them. The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci once said "even the smallest feline is a masterpiece." Cat owners can help make sure that each precious fur covered work of art has a happy home. The best way to accomplish this goal is through responsible spaying and neutering. FOLLOW US!

The Wilson County Animal Shelter in North Carolina Has Finally Hauled Away Their Gas Chamber

The Wilson County Animal Shelter in North Carolina has finally hauled away their gas chamber.  They will now focus more strongly on spay and neuter programs.

Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard says the county purchased the chamber years ago when he was still a deputy.

“I wish we never had to put any pet down at all,” he said.  “I love animals and it is a very difficult thing to do. And when using the gas chamber it is emotionally hard on the staff.”

He says it has always been hard to put animals in the chamber, and that they will now use lethal injection.

“Even when it was an animal that was so aggressive we couldn’t save it to adopt out, or those animals who were hurt and laying there on the road and brought here, it weighed hard and took emotional toll on us to put them in there,” Woodard explained. “And I want the staff to be comfortable and safe. But the biggest thing we want to do is get the animals into loving homes.”

Though they come in through the back door, the Sheriff says he wants to see them all leave through the front door.

“I wanted that gas chamber gone and thank God we eventually got to the place where we could get it picked up,” he said.

Though many improvements have been made to the shelter, he would like to see a total change.

“I would love to have a new animal shelter — it would be great for the community to come and visit animals in a place before they adopt them, better for the animals and good for our staff,” Woodard said in December 2013. “But the economy has been bad and commissioners can’t build a new shelter with no money.”

Some money was allocated to the shelter for some basic improvements, but the most important change that has occurred since 2013 is the spay and neuter program, which provides the service for free to low-income families.

“There are elderly people and hard-working people who don’t have enough money to get their pet spayed or neutered and this is a service to them,” Woodard said. “The only issue is that you have to take your pet to get it fixed — we don’t do that.”

Families interested in adopting can also have their new pet fixed free of charge.

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Living with a House Rabbit

Perhaps you've just adopted your first rabbit, or maybe you already have a rabbit and would like more information to help you understand her better. The House Rabbit Society, a national nonprofit organization, recommends that you keep your rabbit in the house rather than outdoors. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.

To read more on this story, click here: Living with a House Rabbit FOLLOW US!

Humping: Why Do Dogs Do It?

At a local dog park in Atlanta, the other dog owners have a nickname for Lois Gross’ dog, a Dutch shepherd. “They say ‘Here comes Humping Taz,’” the Atlanta resident says of her 5-year-old, spayed female, Taz. “She doesn’t want to play or run, she just wants to hump all the other dogs in the park. We kind of joke about it, but some people get really upset when she gets on their dog so I have to watch her constantly.”

Although the image of a dog humping a person’s leg, a pillow, or another dog can draw a laugh in a movie or on television, in real life it can be annoying, embarrassing, and even cause fights between dogs.

To read more on this story, click here: Humping: Why Do Dogs Do It? FOLLOW US!

4 Tips for Reintroducing Your Cats After One Returns From the Vet

Of all the potential problems I worried about when it came time for my kitten’s spay surgery, bringing her home to my older cat never even crossed my mind.

Ever since Specter was a wee kitten, she and Ghost Cat have behaved like peanut butter and jelly -- they stick together. Ghost Cat even lets the little one pretend to nurse on her.

To read more on this story, click here: 4 Tips for Reintroducing Your Cats After One Returns From the Vet FOLLOW US!

Dogs That Survived House Fire Nearly Ready For Adoption

Two weeks ago, an Auburn home caught fire during a standoff between the homeowner and police.

Inside were four dogs. Somehow, three managed to escape the burning home.

“There had to be angels looking out for these dogs,” said Elsie Lodde, founder of the Recycled Pets NorCal animal shelter.

The entire home was burned down.

“Between the shootout with police and the fire, the fact that three of the four dogs survived is really amazing,” Lodde said.

How the dogs escaped isn’t known – except for Angel, who jumped out of a second-story window.

“He went to the vet and they did x-rays and they kept an eye on him. I think it’s amazing he escaped with minor burns,” Lodde said.

All the dogs have burns on their paws.

With no home, Lodde with Recycled Pets NorCal took the dogs in to try and help them find a forever home.

“People can’t see how cute they are between all that extra fur and fluff and scruff,” Lodde said.

The dogs are getting groomed at A Purrfect Groomer in West Sacramento by Dana Chavez-Rey – who says despite everything the dogs have gone through, they’re doing well.

“They’re far more social than some of the dogs we see here,” Chavez-Rey said.
Angel still has a scab on his back where his fur was singed.

“It looks like it’s already healed.  There is a scab there and hopefully with time his hair will grow back,” Chavez-Rey said.

Now that they’re looking good – hopefully they’re feeling good too.

“Once they get groomed you see the change in their expression and their eyes,” Chavez-Rey said.

Still smiling faces, despite everything they’ve been through.

The dogs will be available for adoption after they are spayed and neutered on Wednesday. If you’re interested in adopting the dogs, head to Recycle Pets NorCal’s website http://recycledpetsnorcal.org/.


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Cold Weather Is Coming: Here's One Way to Help Outdoor Dogs

We’ve all witnessed dogs left to the elements during the cold winter months. You can allow frustration, anger, and a sense of helplessness to drag you down. Or, you can do something positive. The topic of outdoor dogs is a thorny one to be sure. Families struggle with a variety of issues from allergies to ignorance, and you’re never going to convince every last dog owner to see things your way. But, that doesn’t mean groups like Fences For Fido aren’t making a difference. This Oregon nonprofit caters to dogs chained outdoors by providing much-needed fencing, insulated dog houses, and free spay/neutering services. So what’s one way you can help dogs left out in the cold? Find an organization like this one in your area and volunteer! A little bit of your time can go a long way toward keeping dogs warm this winter.

To read more on this story, click here: Cold Weather Is Coming: Here's One Way to Help Outdoor Dogs FOLLOW US!

Houston, Texas - Homeless Man Can No Longer Care for Pup That Found Him - Do You Have Room in Your Home and in Your Heart for Butch?

A young dog in Houston, Texas, currently spends his days on the streets with a homeless man named "Joe." The one-and-a-half-year-old dog, named "Butch," suddenly appeared one day and Joe did his best to take care of the homeless pup that seemed to have no one else.

Unfortunately, Joe already had two dogs that he was caring for when Butch arrived, and one of his dogs does not get along with the newcomer. Though Joe loves Butch, he needs to find somewhere else for the dog to go.

The following information has been stated about Butch:

Butch is about 1- 1 1/2 years old. He had horrible mange and was very skinny when he first appeared. He is very people friendly and dog friendly but not with one of Joe's altered male dogs. He is fine with the other altered male dog.

Butch is not altered. I doubt he has been on heartworm preventative. A friend donated some flea preventative for all of them. But Butch definitely needs a bath!

A good Samaritan is working to help Joe find a home for Butch - the individual has obtained pledges which can be utilized for Butch's veterinary needs and she has offered to be the contact for potential rescue agencies or adopters. Anyone who has questions or who would like to help in some way can email: jchppl@gmail.com

Note: Prospective adopters will be screened for suitability by the individual who is taking emails about Butch.

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Feral Cats Are Not Stray Cats

Dear Joan: In reference to your column about a woman who was injured by a cat, feral cats get enough of a bad rap without being blamed for behavior of nonferal cats.

A feral cat will not approach a human and will not let a human pet it. I fed a colony of feral cats in Mountain View for a few years. They would come running when the heard my car enter the parking lot, and would come close to me, but would never let me touch them.

To read more on this story, click here: Feral Cats Are Not Stray Cats

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We Love Shelter Pets! According To This Report, You Do Too

Shelter pets are the best! You know it, we know it and a new report shows we're far from alone in holding -- possibly also hugging and cuddling -- this belief.

The PetSmart Charities 2014 U.S. Shelter Pet Report finds that 66 percent of people considering bringing home a new pet say they would adopt their new furry friend instead of going to a breeder or other source. That's up from 58 percent in 2011.

To read more on this story, click here: We Love Shelter Pets! FOLLOW US!

Study Results: Adopt or Purchase a Pet?

A new study from PetSmart Charities found that two-thirds of those surveyed said they would adopt a pet rather than purchase one from a pet store or breed.

Almost 3,000 people who live with cats and dogs participated in PetSmart Charities’ 2014 Shelter Pet survey. Among the findings, 81 percent of those surveyed said they own a dog and/or a cat. That percent is significantly higher from just three years ago, when it was 63 percent. Another 40 percent of respondents said they have donated time or money to support shelter cats and dogs. That number jumped up 29 percent, from three years ago.

To read more on this story, click here: Study Results: Adopt or Purchase a Pet? FOLLOW US!

N. Tonawanda Passes Ordinance in Support of Operation Island Cats

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) –  It was the final hurdle for Operation Island Cats.

Danielle Coogan raised $12,000, gathered volunteers and gained community support to control the population of cats on Tonawanda Island, but city law wasn’t on her side.

Coogan and several of her supporters gathered at the North Tonawanda Common Council meeting Tuesday night hoping to change that.

To read more on this story, click here: N. Tonawanda Passes Ordinance in Support of Operation Island Cats

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Frisky Business MEGA Adoption Event, One Day Only, All Adoptions $8, October 18th, - Washington Humane Society, Georgia Avenue Adoption Center

Washington, DC – The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is traveling back to the 1980s for one day only! On Saturday, October 18, all animals adopted from the Georgia Avenue Adoption Center are available for just an $8 adoption fee during our “Frisky Business” 1980s themed adoption event. Plus, we are opening one hour early to offer this choice special for a full eight hours (11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.).

Pop by 7319 Georgia Ave., NW to visit all of the furry dudes and dudettes looking for new homes! We’ll also be chilling out front with Adopt Force One (our mobile adoption vehicle), so you will have an even greater selection of rad animals to choose from!

 All pets adopted from the Washington Humane Society go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Our standard adoption counseling and approval process applies to all adoptions, and a $15 DC dog license fee is required for dogs adopted by DC residents (scrunchies and leg warmers not included).

WHAT: “Frisky Business” MEGA Adoption Special

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2014
                11:00 am - 7:00 pm

WHERE: Georgia Avenue Adoption Center - ONLY!
                7319 Georgia Avenue, NW

                SPECIAL: $8 reduced adoption fees for all animals at the Georgia Avenue Adoption Center

Pets adopted from our New York Avenue location, or from foster homes, on October 18 will be available for our regular adoption fees. Learn more at www.washhumane.org/adopt.

About the Washington Humane Society: WHS is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to over 43,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

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What Should Be on The Answering Machine of Every Rescue and Shelter

Hello: You have reached… (713) 281-0000.

Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:

Press 1: If you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away.

Press 2:  If you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3:  If you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4:  If you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5:  If your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6:  If you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home  TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want.

Press 7:  If you have been feeding and caring for a “stray” for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it’s not your dog.

Press 8:  If your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 9:  If you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10: If your relative has died and you don’t want to care for their elderly dog because it no longer fits your lifestyle.

Press 11: If your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat’s behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 12: If your two-year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven’t gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 13: If you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 14: If you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work.

Press 15: To leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message.

Press 16: If you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility.

Press 17: If you are going to threaten to take your ten-year old dog to be euthanized because I won’t take it.

Press 18:  If you’re going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted
volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 19:  If you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 20:  If you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor’s cats.

Press 21:  If you have already called once and been told we don’t take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 22:  If you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 23:  If it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up.

Press 24:  If you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 25:  If you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can’t spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 26:  If you’re lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 27:  If you have done “everything” to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don’t want to crate the dog because it is cruel.

Press 28:  If you didn’t listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 29:  If you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter’s birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 30:  If your dog’s coat doesn’t match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed.

Press 31:  If your new love doesn’t like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 32:  If you went through all these ‘options’ and didn’t hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family.

Author Unknown, but much appreciated!

Please remember that if you can not commit to fur-always or at least the next 13-17 years, DON’T BUY A PET!   It is not a shelter’s or rescue’s obligation to take on your commitments.  They do so out of fear that you will kill them if they don’t, and dumping them anywhere, even alone on the side of a road is abuse!

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Scooter, the Neutered Cat Says ‘It’s Hip to Be Snipped

There’s a cool new cat in Cincinnati – hitting the airwaves, movie theaters, billboards and the Net. His name is Scooter, the neutered cat.

Rocking aviator sunglasses, a turtleneck sweater and an irreverent sense of humor, Scooter is the star of a $2 million media blitz aimed at persuading Cincinnatians their kitties will stay cool cats if they’re spayed or neutered.

Scooter is the creation of Cincinnati-based marketing and advertising agency Northlich. The agency’s funny, urban hipster pitches his message in a radically different way than the typical tear-jerker approach employed in talking to animal lovers. Northlich’s creative team wanted to evoke 1970s movies like “Shaft” or TV’s “Starsky & Hutch.”

Giving Scooter a macho attitude is no accident. Northlich’s research revealed that a lot of pet owners hesitate to get their cats fixed over concerns it will change their pets’ personalities. Scooter billboards say it’s “hip to be snipped.”

“Some owners worry their cat will feel less manly or lose their sexual identity if they get neutered – the Scooter approach turns that idea on its head,” said Terry Dillon, a senior copywriter at Northlich.

Laura Gels, senior art director at Northlich, said the 1970s vibe also appeals to viewers’ pop culture memories.

“People remember those, and it automatically makes Scooter more approachable,” Gels said.

Other barriers for pet owners are cost and location. The campaign directs pet owners to a website that lists affordable spay and neuter services by location.

The campaign is funded by the Joanie Bernard Foundation that wants to stop the 1.4 million cats being put down each year due to the overpopulation of strays. There are 70 million stray cats in the U.S. – compared with 73 million that have homes.

Deborah Cribbs, chair of the foundation, said she was open to a new type of campaign. Several meetings at Northlich ended with hysterical laughter. The campaign, which launched April 28, is called “Ten” – a play on extending cats’ mythical nine lives. Ads also are being aired in Indianapolis.

“We wanted to be a little more in your face to get noticed,” she said. “We wanted something edgy and irreverent – but factual.”

One unsettling set of facts: The average female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years. A female cat can get pregnant as young as six months and two weeks after giving birth to a litter.

In one ad that’s been viewed on YouTube 35,000 times, Scooter struts from his home in the city to the soundtrack of the jingle: “Other cats make babies, with him there’s no yes or maybe – Who’s your Daddy? Not me.”

The ad ends with Scooter comfortably perching on the hood of a vintage Cadillac. A voiceover tells viewers to go to GiveThemTen.org for a listing of low-cost spay and neuter services.

Early results of the social media campaign are encouraging.

So many owners promised to get their pets spayed or neutered and retweet the “Ten” message, that a free T-shirt offer was quickly overwhelmed.

The campaign is ordering new T-shirts after running out of its first batch.

Website: http://www.givethemten.org/frisk-and-fun/meet-scooter.html

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