Talkin Pets

(San Andreas, CA) The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) condemns the brutal act against a traveling circus elephant this morning in Tupelo, Mississippi.



Carol, an eight thousand pound Asian elephant, was being housed at an outdoor arena while Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey workers set up for a four-day circus run when she was shot.



Early reports indicate that the bullet or bullets struck her in the neck. According to a veterinarian, the bullet(s) did not damage any major blood vessels or nerves.



"This inhumane act of violence against Carol is reprehensible. Circus elephants are normally restricted to small spaces or chained by their legs. This was a cowardly act with complete disregard for life," stated PAWS President Ed Stewart.



Stewart adds, "We understand from reports that Carol has been a circus elephant her entire life. We certainly hope that Carol recovers fully from her wounds and is now offered a permanent retirement from performing and travel."



Founded in 1984, the Performing Animal Welfare Society is an internationally recognized leader in captive elephant protection and leads campaigns to put an end to the inherent elephant cruelty associated with traveling circus shows.



"If PAWS can be of any immediate assistance we are extending our offer to help Carol. In addition, we are offering a $2,500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of this callous, senseless act," Stewart pledges.



PAWS provides permanent sanctuary for eight elephants who are retired from the rigors of traveling circus life or inadequate zoo exhibits. For more information, visit our website at www.pawsweb.org.

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Dogs are America’s favorite pet, not just in pet ownership, but in the health care they receive; the gap between dogs and other pets is growing

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) April 10, 2013—It’s good to be a dog. Not only are dogs America’s favorite pet, but dogs receive better veterinary care than their four-legged peers, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook.
The Sourcebook, a survey of Americans about their pets conducted every five years, indicates that between 2006 and 2011, veterinary visits for dogs increased by 9.2 percent, while the number of veterinary visits for cats decreased by 4.4 percent. Birds and horses also saw declines in veterinary care; the number of bird and horse owners who made at least one visit to the veterinarian in 2011 declined 10.8 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
“While it’s great that we’re seeing increases in veterinary care for dogs, it’s very concerning that veterinary care for virtually every other type of pet is seeing substantial declines,” says Dr. Douglas Aspros, president of the AVMA. “This trend is worrisome, not only in terms of the pet’s health but in terms of public health, because some diseases, such as intestinal parasites, can be transmitted from pets to family members. Our pets—no matter if they have fur, feathers, shells or scales—earn our love, respect
and appropriate veterinary care to keep them healthy and as comfortable as possible. A good guideline for all pet owners is to allow their pets to enjoy the very best life by taking them in for a veterinary visit at least once a year to help maintain optimal health.”

Cats second best?
There are more cats in America than dogs—74.1 million cats compared to 70 million dogs—but more people own dogs (43.3 million households) than own cats (36.1 million). The reason for this disparity is that cat owners are more likely to own more than one cat than dog owners are to own more than one dog.
Unfortunately, cats are suffering from an increasing lack of veterinary care. The number of cat-owning households that made no trips at all to the veterinarian in 2011 increased by a staggering 24 percent from 2006. Only 55.1 percent of cat owners made at least one visit to the veterinarian in 2011, which is down 13.5 percent from 2006.
“We see in the latest Sourcebook that there are 1.4 million fewer cat-owning households in America in 2011 compared to 2006, but even more concerning is the declining numbers for veterinary care that our cats receive,” explains Dr. Jane Brunt, executive director of the CATalyst Council, a national initiative comprised of animal health and welfare organizations working to improve the health and welfare of cats. “The AVMA survey shows us that, while we love our cats, we’re much less likely to take them into the veterinarian for regular care. Cats are wonderful, loving pets, but they are also masters at disguising any symptoms of illness. You need your veterinarian’s knowledge and skill to make sure your kitty is healthy.”

Furry Family Matters
The downturn in veterinary care for cats flies in the face of the fact that more cat owners (and pet owners in general) consider their pets to be family members. In 2006, 49.2 percent of cat owners said that they consider their pet to be a family member, which rose to 56.1 percent in 2011. The Sourcebook shows that the strength of the bond between pets and their owners impacts how much veterinary care the pet will receive. Cat owners who consider their cats members of the family went to the veterinarian 1.9 times on average in 2011, 1.2 times if they considered the cat a pet/companion, and just 0.5 times if they consider the animal to be property.
Dog owners were more likely to take their pets into the veterinarian than cat owners. Dog owners who said they consider the animal to be a family member went to the veterinarian, on average, 2.9 times in 2011, compared to 2 times for those who consider their dog a pet/companion and 1.2 times for those who consider their dog property.
AVMA’s U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook offers a wealth of information on pet ownership, pet owner profiles, trends, veterinary medical use and expenditures and is for sale on the AVMA website. For more information about the AVMA or to obtain a copy of the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, visit www.avma.org.
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The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 84,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

Victoria Stilwell is one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers. As the host of Animal Planet’s hit television series It’s Me or the Dog (airing in 40 countries with 8 million viewers), she wins over audiences weekly with her Supernanny-like mannerisms and gentle, loving techniques. Now, millions of fans (and their canine friends) will delight in the fact that her guidance can be found in a new book.
In Train Your Dog Positively, Victoria explains how to use force-free, scientifically backed dog training methods to solve common canine behavior problems. For decades, animal training experts have incorrectly assumed that dogs misbehave to achieve dominance. This misconception has led trainers to rely heavily on the use of force in order to control and modify undesirable behavior by frightening or overpowering a dog into submission. But just as time-outs have proven more effective than spanking as a way to help children understand and achieve desired behaviors, so has training dogs with positive reinforcement become a recognized best practice over the once-popular dominance theory approach.
Modern behavioral science now shows that forceful handling practices—such as physical punishment, leash yanking, or making a dog submit by rolling it on its back—are psychologically damaging for the dog and have potentially dangerous consequences for owners. Today’s most effective dog training theories confirm that reinforcing good behavior with rewards (such as praise, food, or toys) while using constructive discipline (like time-outs or vocal sounds) is not only a more successful training tool, but a more humane way of communicating with canine companions. Positive training treats dogs with the same respect that we as humans ask of them, and also correctly identifies the root cause of the misbehavior (studies have shown that aggressive behaviors are often rooted in uncertainty and fear—not a play for dominance). Positive training brings security, security brings confidence, and a confident dog feels no need to exhibit anxiety-based behaviors.
Stilwell provides owners with everything they need to form a positive and rewarding connection with their dog—from understanding the human/canine relationship (the way dogs develop, how they learn, and how best to forge a bond) to numerous behavioral training solutions. With Train Your Dog Positively, owners have more than a handbook that teaches a dog to sit, stay, and come—they have a set of guiding principles that enriches their relationship with their canine companion, building trust and a lasting foundation for a happy, confident, and well-behaved dog.
On-Sale Date: APRIL 2013
Train Your Dog PPoossiittiivveellyy
Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More!
VICTORIA STILWELL
As seen on Animal Planet’s
It’s Me or the Dog
VICTORIA STILWELL was born and raised in Wimbledon, England, and has become one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers. Best known for her role as the host of Animal Planet’s hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog, she has also served as a judge on CBS’s Greatest American Dog. She is involved with rescue groups around the world; is a regular columnist for The Bark, Dog World, American Dog, and Dogs Today magazines; and her popular Positively Podcast series is heard by listeners worldwide. Named 2009’s Dog Trainer of the Year at the Purina Pro Plan Dog Awards, Victoria is certified by Animal Behavior and Training Associates and is a proud member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Stilwell lives with her husband, daughter, and chocolate Lab Sadie in Atlanta, Georgia, and is available for interviews. Visit positively.com.
Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More! by Victoria Stilwell
$14.99 paper, 256 pages, 5 ½ " x 8 ¼ "
ISBN: 978-1-60774-414-6
eBook ISBN: 978-1-60774-415-3
TEN SPEED PRESS | Crown Publishing Group www.tenspeed.com

HOLLYWOOD DOGS UGGIE, COSMO AND BLACKIE APPEAR IN THE
HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL SERIES
‘WHO LET THE DOGS OUT’
FRIDAY, April 12 (1 PM ET/PT, 12C).

This Friday on “Who Let The Dogs Out,” the team heads to Memphis to visit the former home of Elvis Presley at Graceland Mansion. Tillman is ready to skate outside the gates of Graceland in his Elvis costume, while the rest of the Natural Balance team take a tour throughout the home. Next, John Fulton writes a song dedicated to Tillman and the team records their own hit at Sun Records, the same place where Elvis recorded some of his greatest hits. Then, Tillman is invited to iconic restaurant, Loveless Café in Nashville for a photo shoot to be featured on Nashville Paw Magazine. While in Nashville, the gang gets the unforgettable opportunity to take a tour of the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest running radio show featuring country music. John Fulton and Tillman take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for their singing debut. Later, the gang heads to the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood. Tillman and “The Scooter Dog” Norman walk down the red carpet alongside their friends Uggie from “The Artist,” Cosmo from “Beginners” and Blackie from “Hugo” at Dog News Daily’s 1^st Annual Golden Collar Awards for pets in cinema and television. Lastly, the Natural Balance team goes to Universal Studios Hollywood for the finale in the search for “America’s Most Talented Dog” to join the Natural Balance team.

Tillman “The Fastest Skateboarding Dog” along with his friend Norman “The Scooter Dog,” star in the hit show, “Who Let The Dogs Out” presented by Petco and Natural Balance Pet Foods. The show airs weekly on Fridays at 1pm/12pm Central on Hallmark Channel.

Joey Herrick, Dr. Greg Kay and Erni Di Massa are executive producers, John Tomlin is co-executive producer and Eric Wong is senior producer of “Who Let The Dogs Out.”

“Who Let The Dogs Out” is broadcast in 1080i, Hallmark Channel’s selected HD Format. This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.

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Rising temperatures result in instances of pets falling out of windows;
Incidents are 100 percent preventable

NEW YORK— The warmer spring weather is finally approaching, and the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is urging all pet owners, especially those who live in multi-story residences, to place screens in their windows to prevent their pets from falling out—incidents commonly referred to as “high-rise syndrome.” Unscreened windows pose a serious danger primarily to cats, although dogs and other pets are also susceptible. These types of falls can result in serious injuries or even death.

“Cats who never leave their residence may not realize how high up they are, and if they are distracted by what’s going on outside, they can jump out of the window, or lose their balance and fall,” said Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “It is important for pet owners to realize that high-rise syndrome is 100 percent preventable. The cost of a screen is far less than the thousands of dollars in emergency veterinary care, not to mention your pet’s pain and suffering, that could result from an easily avoidable high-rise accident.”

Incidents associated with high-rise syndrome are typically reported during the summer months when open windows are commonplace. In New York City, the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital has already seen its first high-rise syndrome case of the season, a six-month-old kitten named Cricket who is currently recovering at the Adoption Center. During the warmer months, ASPCA veterinarians see on average three to five cases per week.

Because cats have little fear of heights and enjoy perching in high places, pet owners often assume that they can take care of themselves. Although cats can cling to the bark of trees with their claws, other surfaces are much more difficult for them to grasp, such as window ledges, concrete or brick surfaces.

Pet owners can fully safeguard their animals by installing snug and sturdy screens in all their windows. Cats and small dogs can slip through childproof window guards, so it is important to recognize that these do not provide adequate protection.

Last year, veterinarians at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital saw more than 100 cases of high-rise syndrome. The most common injuries associated with these incidents are shattered jaws, bruised or punctured lungs, and broken limbs and pelvises.

For more information on high-rise syndrome, please visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/high-rise-syndrome.aspx.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Sens. Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirk (R-Ill.), Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Vitter (R-La.)
reintroduce Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act
to criminalize attendance at animal fights

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) commends U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and David Vitter (R-La.) for reintroducing legislation to strengthen laws against animal fighting. The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act would make it a federal offense to attend an organized animal fight and would impose additional penalties for bringing a minor to an animal fight. The bill will apply federal criminal penalties of up to one year imprisonment and fines for attending an animal fight, and up to three years imprisonment and fines for bringing a minor to an animal fight.

“Animal fights are cruel and gruesome spectacles conducted solely for profit and entertainment,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “A host of other dangerous and illegal activities are frequently associated with animal fighting, including drugs, weapons, and gambling, and this measure would help law enforcement pursue the spectators who drive the market for animal fighting. The ASPCA applauds Senators Blumenthal and Kirk for their persistent leadership in strengthening laws to combat animal fighting and protect public safety.”

Spectators at animal fights are not there accidentally; they intentionally seek out the criminal activity at secret locations, often travelling long distances and crossing state lines for the entertainment of watching animals fight to the death and the opportunity to gamble on the barbaric event. When animal fighting operations are raided, it is a common practice for the organizers, promoters, and animal owners to blend into the crowd of spectators in order to escape law enforcement. This legislation discourages individuals from enabling animal fights with their attendance and ensures that organizers cannot easily hide in the crowd when law enforcement officials arrive.

“Despite efforts by Congress to put an end to animal fighting, this blood sport continues to exist throughout the country, and is financed by thousands of dollars from spectators who contribute to it,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “When animal fighting involves players from a number of different states, local law enforcement simply lacks the power to deal with it and to root out the entire operation. This legislation would prohibit knowingly attending an animal fight, and extend stricter penalties for any individual who knowingly brings a child to an animal fight–closing a final key loophole in federal animal fighting legislation. These crimes are a federal matter and the federal response ought to be as strong as possible. Animal fighting encourages the worst in the human condition, and members from both sides of the aisle have been vocal in their commitment to putting an end to this inhumane activity.”

“By making it a crime to knowingly attend an animal fight, this bill is consistent with state animal fighting laws and will deny event organizers the revenue that funds future events,” said Sen. Kirk. “This bipartisan legislation achieved unanimous approval in the Senate last year. I hope to push for this success again so we can close the loophole that has allowed animal fighting to continue its vicious cycle.”

In the 112^th Congress, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act gained strong bipartisan support in both the U.S. House and Senate and passed the Senate by a voice vote on Dec. 4, 2012. Similar language was also included in the Farm Bill in both the House and Senate last Congress, but efforts to pass a final Farm Bill stalled. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House earlier this year by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), John Campbell (R-Calif.), and Jim Moran (D-Va.). The measure is broadly supported by animal welfare groups and approximately 300 law enforcement organizations.

Last month, at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the United States Attorney’s Office, the ASPCA, in conjunction with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and Henry County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in a multi-state, federal dog fighting raid in Missouri, Kansas and Texas. The ASPCA managed the removal and transport of nearly 100 dogs involved in the investigation, and is overseeing forensic evidence collection, as well as the dogs’ veterinary care and sheltering.

For more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to tackle animal fighting and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Nominations are now open for The Humane Society of the United States’ Pets of Valor Award, which honors rescued dogs or cats who have exhibited an extraordinary sense of courage by heroically helping a person in need.

“By honoring adopted or rescued dogs and cats from around the country who have heroically acted to help a person in need, The Humane Society of the United States’ Pets of Valor celebrates the human-animal bond,” said Betsy McFarland, vice president for companion animal issues at The HSUS. “We look forward to reviewing all of this year’s entries.”

Last year’s Valor Dog of the Year recipient was Hank, a Great Dane from Kansas City, Mo. Hank helped to shield his owner from her boyfriend during a vicious attack. Although Hank was injured, he provided enough of a distraction to allow the woman to escape. This year the award was broadened to include rescued cats.

Nominations can be submitted at humanesociety.org/petsofvalor. The heroic act must have taken place between Jan 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Deadline for entries is Friday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. With the help of official HSUS Pets of Valor Award spokesdog, Uggie, who portrayed a loyal dog who courageously rescues his owner from a fire in the Academy Award-winning film “The Artist,” HSUS companion animal experts will select five finalists, based on the significance and impact of the dog or cat’s heroic act. The winner will be chosen by a public online vote that runs May 24-31, 2013.

All finalists will receive a custom sterling silver tag designed by Bella Tocca Tags. The owner of the animal chosen to be HSUS’ Valor Pet of the Year will also receive a custom crystal figurine designed by Custom Glass Etching.

Visit humanesociety.org/petsofvalor for more information and to submit a nomination.

Subscribe to Wayne Pacelle’s blog, A Humane Nation. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org.

ASPCA urges support for the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to ban horse slaughter

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced in a new poll just conducted by Lake Research Partners that 70 percent of New Mexico voters are opposed to the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption and do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community. The statewide survey reveals that New Mexicans overwhelmingly oppose horse slaughter regardless of their political affiliation, gender, ethnicity, geographic location or whether they live in an urban or rural area. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its plan to process an application for inspecting horse slaughter at a Roswell, N.M. facility. If the application is approved, Valley Meat Company LLC will be the first facility in the U.S. to slaughter horses for human consumption since 2007, when the few remaining plants closed and Congress chose to suspend funding for any further horse meat inspections.

“There is broad consensus in New Mexico, as there is throughout the nation, that our horses deserve more than to be shuttled off to a gruesome death and served abroad as a toxic delicacy,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “With nearly three quarters of all registered voters in the state in opposition to the slaughtering of American horses, opening a horse slaughterhouse in New Mexico clearly flies in the face of public opinion, and using our precious tax dollars to enable horse slaughter on U.S. soil is even more tone deaf. Enacting a ban on horse slaughter has never been more urgent.”

According to the new research, 7 in 10 New Mexico registered voters are opposed to allowing American horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, with 55 percent in strong opposition to the practice. In addition, 70 percent of New Mexico voters do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community, with just 20 percent of voters supporting such a facility. Furthermore, opposition to a horse slaughtering facility extends across race, age, partisan, and geographic divides with 76 percent of Hispanic voters and 66 percent of Anglos disapproving of such a facility.

“In every way, shape and form, New Mexicans continue to reject the idea of a horse slaughter plant in our state,” said Lisa Jennings, executive director of Animal Protection of New Mexico. “New Mexico benefits from living and thriving horses, not dead ones. We're determined to continue developing a robust equine safety net, not condemn horses to a slaughter pipeline that will guarantee the misery continues.”

The surprising move toward a resumption of domestic horse slaughter comes in the wake of the scandal unfolding in the European Union, where consumers have been alarmed by the discovery of horse meat mislabeled as beef in prepared food products ranging from lasagna to meatballs. Horses are routinely given medications and other substances that are toxic to humans and are expressly forbidden by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals intended for human consumption. Last month, U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to prevent the introduction of horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.

Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and often erroneously compared to humane euthanasia. The methods used to slaughter horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses are difficult to stun and often remain conscious during their butchering and dismemberment. Whether slaughter occurs in the U.S. or abroad, these equines suffer incredible abuse even before they arrive at the slaughterhouse, often transported for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, in dangerously overcrowded trailers where the animals are often seriously injured or even killed in transit. The majority of horses killed for human consumption are young, healthy animals who could go on to lead productive lives with loving owners. Last year, more than 160,000 American horses were sent to a cruel death by a grisly foreign industry that produces unsafe food for consumers.

To learn more about the ASPCA’s efforts to ban horse slaughter or support the SAFE Act, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Hallmark Channel’s Three-Hour Original Special Filled with Purr-Fectly Adoptable Kittens Performing in the Biggest Feline Sports Show in TV History

Attention, sports fans! Hallmark Channel announces a brand new tradition that is sure to become the most talked about big game on television! On Sunday, February 2, 2014 (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), Hallmark Channel opens its stadium doors to the greatest feline showdown in cable television history, “Kitten Bowl,” a three-hour Hallmark Channel Original Special featuring the world’s most adorable – and adoptable – kittens in the mother lode of cat agility competition. The special, which will be presented annually, is supported by the network’s animal welfare partner, American Humane Association, and is just one of many high-profile commitments the company has made to its evergreen Pet Project initiative. With American Humane Association, Hallmark Channel’s in-house production team will scour rescue associations and shelters searching for kitty competitors whose enduring prize will be a loving, forever home. “Kitten Bowl” is a bonanza of opportunity for Ad Sales and product integration and will feature a live streaming internet channel to catch every delightful, charming, or inspirational moment. Suiting up as judges, referees, and sideline trainers will be Hallmark Channel’s top tier Original Movie talent. And, in a first for the network, viewers at home will vote in social media for the MVK – Most Valuable Kitten.

“Creating another programming event to reinforce Hallmark Channel’s Pet Project, our corporate pet adoption and safety initiative, enhances the profile of the plight of shelter animals in our country while providing fun, family-oriented entertainment to our viewers. We are very proud of our association with American Humane Association and their support of our work in this area,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks, home of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel.

The agility competition will consist of a basic obstacle course of hurdles of varying heights, A-frame Alpine Scratchers, tunnels, hoop jumps, and weave poles. Lures, like laser pointers, and toys on a string will be used to get the kittens through the course, but food will not allowed. Cat agility competitions, which are modeled after the equestrian sport of show jumping, normally include rules which state that cats must complete a course in under 270 seconds, completing each obstacle in a prescribed manner. In a typical feline agility contest, a cat would complete between six and fourteen obstacles, with winning cats completing the course in ten seconds or less. In “Kitten Bowl,” however, the competitors are kittens and any form of cuteness is the key to the game.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 87 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation’s leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, as well as some of television’s most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, Frasier, and Happy Days. The channel is also home to a range of lifestyle programming, anchored by Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot, and Marie, a one-hour talk show hosted by iconic entertainer, Marie Osmond. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Pinterest, GetGlue, YouTube

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