Gavin DeGraw to Play Free NYC Concert to Help Shelter Pets
September 23, 2011 • Travel • Rescue
To help find homes for the millions of shelter animals in need of homes, Sony recording artist, Gavin DeGraw, will play a free concert during Petco's inaugural National Adoption Reunion Celebration on Tuesday, October 4th from 4-6:30 pm in the Naumburg Bandshell area of Central Park. The celebration will also unite adopted pets and pet parents to set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Gathering of Adopted Shelter Animals” as a way to place the spotlight on the need for both homes and shelter volunteers.
In addition to the Gavin DeGraw concert and Guinness World Record-setting attempt, there will be a Sony “Photo Experience” area where pets and pet parents can have their picture taken and learn how to take the perfect pet photo. The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals will also receive a donation of a new mobile adoption van worth an estimated $128,000 to assist with local adoption efforts and several local adoption partners will be in attendance to place homeless pets in loving forever homes.
A minimum of 250 animals attending the reunion must have been adopted from an animal shelter or adoption organization and not purchased. In order to count towards the record total, all owners must supply paperwork to the event organizers proving their animal was adopted from a shelter or adoption organization. Check in to the record-setting attempt begins at 4 pm and counting begins at 5 pm. To be counted in the record attempt, all animals must be in the same place at the same time in a cordoned off area and must remain altogether for a minimum of 10 minutes. Each animal must be accompanied by at least one pet parent. An official Guinness World Records® representative will be in attendance to verify the record and share the result with attendees by the end of the event.
According to the ASPCA, about 60 percent of U.S. households have a pet, but only 10-20 percent of those cats or dogs were adopted from shelters and rescues. Petco™, Unleashed by Petco and the Petco Foundation, which have worked to find homes for over 3 million pets, will host the first-ever “National Adoption Reunion” to put the spotlight on the importance of pet adoption and the urgent need for volunteers amongst animal welfare groups. The reunion consists of several events taking place the second week of October 2011 to honor anyone who has ever adopted a pet, adoption supporters, and the many noble rescue organizations, and encourages participants to share their heart-warming tales of adoption both in person and online to rally others behind the cause.
How can you get involved?
Local Celebrations: The weekend of October 8-9, 2011, 28 specially chosen Petco locations across the U.S. will host mega adoption events with numerous adoptable pets on hand. Guests are also invited to bring their own adopted pet to the celebration for a “SONY Photo Experience” in which their picture perfect love will be captured in free photos. The first 100 guests each day will also receive a one-of-a-kind “National Adoption Celebration” commemorative pet collar charm.
Stories of Love: By uploading photos and videos of adopted pets to www.petco.com/reunion, participants will inspire others to adopt as well as have a chance to have their pet featured in an upcoming Petco advertising campaign. For every person who uploads their story online, Petco will donate *$1 to pet adoption organizations across the country. Additionally, participants can win a variety of other prizes such as Sony products and Petco gift cards September 1 through October 31, 2011.
Lend a Hand: One of the most requested means of support from animal welfare groups is volunteer support. Petco has partnered with VolunteerMatch for the new Petco C.A.R.E.S. program to connect people with volunteer opportunities at more than 73,000 non-profit organizations. Search local volunteer opportunities and donate time to local pet adoption organizations by visiting the www.petco.com/reunion homepage.
Social “Pet” Working: Simply check-in via Facebook at any Petco or Unleashed by Petco location during the National Adoption Reunion October 8-9 and Petco will donate *$1 to pet adoption organizations across the country.
Open Your Heart & Home: Attend an adoption celebration at one of the 1,100 plus Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide and adopt a new member of the family.
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