Stories About Animal Protection

Buffalo Stations Raise $117,000 for Animal Welfare

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

Audacy Buffalo stations WBEN and 107.7 The Wolf raised $117,000 during their SPCA Radiothon for the SPCA Serving Erie County. Audacy Buffalo Market Manager Tim Wenger stated, “We’re thrilled to have been able to spearhead the radiothon effort for the SPCA in 2023 and excited we exceeded the goal and expectations for the event. The money raised is a testament to our listeners’ commitment to community and will go a long way toward helping the SPCA meet a growing need.”

Operation: Santa Paws Raises $19,000 for Pets

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The seventh annual "Operation: Santa Paws" from Hubbard Radio’s 97.1FM The Drive morning show hosts Sherman & Tingle raised over $19,000 in pet food, supplies and cash for Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society. “It is an honor to be part of helping to provide care and support for the less fortunate pets in the Chicago area. It’s so rewarding getting a chance to see so many generous Classic Rock fans who are also pet lovers. To see such support for this makes us even more committed to the people and pets in need this Holiday Season and all year long," The Sherman & Tingle Show said.

KELOLAND Pet Food Drive Feeds South Dakota Pets

Date Posted: 10/18/2023

The annual KELOLAND Pet Food Drive from Hearst Television’s KELO Sioux Falls in South Dakota has been feeding pets for a decade. This year, the station collected 5,794 pounds of pet food and $1,200 in cash, as well as additional pet supplies. “This is our way of helping those people in our community and families that are maybe struggling to keep their pets because pets bring a lot of emotional support, a lot of stress relief,” said Madison Godschalk of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

NBC and Telemundo "Clear the Shelters"

Date Posted: 8/28/2023

NBCUniversal Local partnered with hundreds of shelters across the country to host Clear the Shelters in August 2023. The campaign aims to find loving homes for animals in need by waiving adoption fees or reducing them significantly. A one-hour special on NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide aired on August 27 to raise awareness of the campaign.

WDRV Raises Over $26,000 for Pets

Date Posted: 1/3/2020

Hubbard-owned WDRV-FM Chicago personalities Sherman & Tingle welcomed pet lovers to the fourth annual “Operation: Santa Paws” event December 14 where they collected over $26,000 in pet food, supplies, and cash. The event included a full week of online donations and culminated in an all-day live broadcast.

NBC and Telemundo Find Homes for 135,000 Pets

Date Posted: 8/28/2019

NBC and Telemundo’s Clear the Shelters initiative, held July 27 – August 17, found permanent homes for 135,000 pets. A total of 98 NBC and Telemundo- owned or affiliated stations participated alongside nearly 2,000 animal shelters. The annual event has helped find homes for more than 395,000 animals since 2015 and reduces the stress on animals and staff at overcrowded shelters.

Teddy, a cataholua leopard dog mix at the Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia, was adopted during the event. The adopting family knew they found their dog because, like their daughter, Teddy is deaf. Other successful adoptees include Lamb, a five year old pit-bull who had been living in an Austin, Texas shelter since Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017 and two senior cats from Connecticut who were adopted together after the death of their original owner.

NBC Washington Clears the Shelters

Date Posted: 10/2/2018

NBC-owned WRC-TV and Telemundo’s WZDC Washington, D.C., helped more than 1,100 local pets find forever homes during its “Clear the Shelters” event this August. Dozens of shelters in D.C., Maryland and Virginia waived or reduced adoption fees that day. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington saw all 26 dogs at their shelter, plus 17 cats, four guinea pigs, two rabbits and a gerbil, be adopted.

KVAL Tail-A-Thon Raises $60,000 for Humane Society

Date Posted: 8/26/2018

Sinclair’s CBS affiliate KVAL-TV Eugene, Ore., raised more than $60,000 in the second annual “Pet Project Tail-A-Thon” on June 22 to help the Greenhill Humane Society build new shelter facilities. KVAL also collected pet food and supplies and promoted the adoption of numerous dogs, cats and a guinea pig.

KVAL Helps Raise Funds for New Humane Society

Date Posted: 5/3/2017

Sinclair Broadcast Group’s CBS affiliate KVAL-TV Eugene, Ore. helped the local Greenhill Humane Society launch a campaign to fund the construction of a new facility. The day-long “KVAL Pet Project Tail-a-Thon” raised $65,000.

Pet Telethon Raises $519,831 for Arizona Humane Society

Date Posted: 8/27/2016

Meredith-owned KTVK-TV Phoenix raised nearly $520,000 in a two-hour pet telethon for the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) on August 27. More than 17,000 homeless pets were taken in by AHS last year.

WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV Charlotte Help Animal Shelter

Date Posted: 5/4/2016

Cox Media Group’s WAXN-TV and ABC affiliate WSOC-TV Charlotte donated 400 pounds of pet food and supplies to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control on May 4. The donations benefit a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and birds that need care after being lost or abandoned.

WSOC-TV Collects Supplies for Local Animal Shelter

Date Posted: 5/3/2016

Cox Media Group’s WSOC-TV Charlotte donated 400 pounds of pet food and supplies to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. All donations benefit a variety of pets, from dogs to cats to rabbits, birds and other animals needing care after being lost or abandoned.

WMAR Airs Special on Maryland SPCA

Date Posted: 4/28/2016

Scripps TV Station Group’s ABC affiliate WMAR Baltimore aired “ABC2 March for the Animals Special,” a 30-minute broadcast that promoted the Maryland SPCA’s “March for the Animals” walk on April 21. The special focused on the work the Maryland SPCA does for animals in need across the Baltimore area. “Our pets are our best friends, but there are so many pets that still need a loving home,” said WMAR News Director Kelly Groft. “It’s an honor to highlight the work of the Maryland SPCA and their volunteers.”

On-Air Personality JohnJay Recognized for Rescuing Dogs

Date Posted: 4/6/2016

iHeartMedia personality JohnJay of The JohnJay & Rich Show was recently recognized by PetSmart Charities, a non-profit animal welfare organization, for his work to inspire pet adoption. Johnjay, his wife Blake, and their three children have rescued and found homes for 150 dogs in the Phoenix area. They also help with necessary medical care. They spread the word using #LovePup, an extension of The Johnjay & Rich Show’s #LoveUp charity. Click here to read the interview with PetSmart Charities.

WHO-AM Raises $75,000 for Puppy Jake Foundation

Date Posted: 4/3/2016

iHeartMedia’s WHO-AM Des Moines raised $75,000 during the annual radiothon for the Puppy Jake Foundation, hosted by on air personality Simon Conway. The Puppy Jake Foundation helps military veterans through professionally trained service dogs.

KUSA Has a Heart for Homeless Pets, Raises $375,000

Date Posted: 3/1/2016

TEGNA’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver raised $375,000 in its "Have a Heart for Homeless Pets" telethon for the Dumb Friends League on February 11. The telethon will help the Dumb Friends League care for sick, injured and homeless animals. It also led to the adoption of 63 pets. Watch video.

WJW Cleveland Raises Funds for Animal Protective League

Date Posted: 10/14/2015

Tribune Broadcasting Company’s Fox affiliate WJW-TV Cleveland held a telethon for the Animal Protective League on September 17. Through pledges on phone and online, the telethon raised more than $128,000 to help sick and abandoned animals. Numerous cats and dogs were adopted during the telethon as well.

New York Stations Help Find Homes for Shelter Animals

Date Posted: 8/15/2015

NBC owned-and-operated WNBC-TV and Telemundo’s WNJU-TV New York teamed up with more than 30 animal shelters in the tri-state area on August 15 for a first-of-its-kind pet adoption initiative – “Clear the Shelters”/”Desocupar Los Albergues.” The effort was part of a national initiative spearheaded by the NBCUniversal owned television stations where local television stations partnered with animal shelters across the country to find new homes for homeless pets. Participating shelters waived adoptions fees. As a result of the stations efforts, more than one thousand animals were adopted in one day.

NBC Stations Aim to Clear the Animal Shelters

Date Posted: 8/3/2015

Twenty-eight NBC-owned stations will host a pet adoption drive on Aug. 15, to try to find homes for animals from 300 animal shelters across the U.S. Before the pet adoption drive, eleven NBC-owned stations and 17 Telemundo-owned stations will air Clear The Shelters, which features local programming on issues faced by animals in shelters. In the following week, Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today Show will host another 30-minute adoption drive that will air on more than 100 NBC stations and affiliates.

WKRC-TV Connects Pets and Families

Date Posted: 3/13/2015

Sinclair Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WKRC-TV Cincinnati raised $80,000 for a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). During its Jan. 17 Best of the Adopt-A-Pet event, all 26 dogs and cats featured were adopted. After the event, more than 100 families visited the SPCA to inquire about adoption.

WDHA-FM Aids Animals in Need

Date Posted: 6/8/2014

Greater Media’s WDHA-FM Cedar Knolls, N.J. found homes for 25 animals to benefit local animal shelters during its 4th Annual Rock N’ Ruff Adoption Day. In addition, the station hosted a pet drive in which they raised a record amount of supplies within three hours. WDHA-FM’s Rock N’ Ruff program was created in 2010 by WDHA-FM’s Midday Host and Music Director Terrie Carr. For the past four years, the feature has found homes for hundreds of homeless animals in New Jersey.

KLOS-FM Hosts Pet Adoption Series

Morning show hosts Mark and Brian from KLOS-FM in Los Angeles, Calif., have been helping homeless animals find permanent addresses for the past decade with their annual pet adoption event. The day of the 2007 "Mark & Brian Pet Adoption," a six-hour remote from the Long Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals allowed KLOS on-air personalities to interview new pet parents and encourage other listeners to come and adopt. In addition, the event provided information on good pet care and raised funds for the KLOS Spay and Neuter Fund through merchandise sales, including pet emergency kits and "Mark & Brian" pet and people bandanas. During the five weeks leading up to adoption day, the station aired more than 450 public service announcements. During the "Mark & Brian Show," pet experts were interviewed, and listeners who had adopted at previous adoption events called in to encourage others to do the same. The station’s public affairs show "Spotlight on the Community" featured a one-hour special with the director of the SPCA Los Angeles. The hard work paid off. The event reached its goal of helping alleviate shelter overcrowding when more than 300 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies went home with new families and $10,000 was raised for the KLOS Spay & Neuter Fund.

WDBR-FM Washes 100 Dogs at the Station-Organized

The entire staff of WDBR-FM in Springfield, Ill., went hands-on, scrubbing 100 pooches at the station-organized "Illinois Humane Society Dog Wash." In addition to getting a clean dog, community members also had the opportunity to have their pets microchipped. More than 140 promotional spots and live announcements aired for three weeks prior to the event. A homepage presence on the station Web site and an email blast to its listener club helped make sure everyone with a dirty dog heard about the opportunity. In addition to a two-hour live broadcast, the station conducted dog contests and provided water for people and dogs alike. The event raised $2,500 for the humane society and 80 dogs received microchips. The station also regularly helps the humane society find homes for pets with "Find a Home Friday," a monthly segment during its morning show. A humane society representative brings a pet for adoption to the studio for an interview and the pet’s picture and story are posted on the station’s site. WDBR was a National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

WDAF-FM Mission Supports Animal Shelter

To help people and pets find one another, WDAF-FM in Mission, Kan., partnered with Wayside Waifs, the largest animal shelter in the area, for the inaugural Pet Adopt-A-Thon in the fall of 2007. More than 75 percent of the shelter’s animals found permanent homes during the two-day event, making room for other homeless animals at the shelter. A homepage presence on the station Web site allowed listeners to view animals beforehand and an email blast about the opportunity went out to the station’s 9,000 "Wolf Pack" members. Additionally, the station aired recorded and live promotional announcements for one week and kicked off the affair with a live broadcast of its morning show from the shelter. On-air personalities and station staff stayed at the adopt-a-thon from sunrise to sunset. A second adopt-a-thon was held in April 2008, with even greater success. Almost every animal – 237 out of the shelter’s 250 residents –was adopted in three days. "WDAF’s help is immeasurable," said Jenny Brown from Wayside Waifs. "There is a home for every animal, but you have to get the word out, and this event allows us to do that. When the adopt-a-thons were over we had an empty shelter and a full heart." Plans are set for WDAF to support the adopt-a-thon on a semiannual basis.

WAFB-TV Supports Local Zoo

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A longtime friend of the area zoo, WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, La., is helping raise money for the Elephant Oasis Project. Decades ago, in what has become celebrated local history, WAFB’s on-air personality Buckskin Bill held a "Penny Drive" to bring the Baton Rouge Zoo its first elephant. The wildly successful drive raised enough money for two baby elephants, appropriately named Penny and Penny Too. The zoo, which receives nearly one-quarter of a million visitors each year, is now in need of an updated elephant education area. WAFB’s fundraising efforts for this project have been extensive, including the broadcast of news stories, promotional spots and the "WAFB Elephant Oasis Special," a live 90-minute broadcast that gave local schools, organizations and businesses the opportunity to make donations to the zoo on air. In addition to asking corporations for monetary contributions, the station created a five-minute DVD on how to raise money for the project and mailed it with a cover letter to all local area schools. WAFB also created an "Elephant Oasis" page on the station Web site. To date, more than $68,000 has been raised toward the final goal of $175,000, and WAFB continues its on-and off-air efforts to make the Elephant Oasis a reality.

WCSX-FM Hosts "Pet-A-Palooza"

Hundreds of animals looking for a good home were brought to "Adoption Alley" for the sixth annual "Pet-A-Palooza," sponsored by WCSX-FM in Detroit , Mich. The pet festival involves two adoption days with animals from 33 humane societies. In 2007, the effort led to the adoption of 428 cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. "I’m so happy to be part of such an important event," WCSX mid-day personality Karen Savelly said. "Not only do pets and their owners have a fun-filled day, hundreds of deserving animals find wonderful homes." Some of the extras included an "Ultimate Air Dogs" distance-jumping competition, with proceeds donated to a local nonprofit animal rights organization, Guardians for Animals; the presence of a "Dog Wizard," who answered canine questions and offered training advice; and a performance by the Rock-N-Roll K-9s, in which 35 dogs demonstrated speed and agility skills to rock-n-roll music. Later in the year, WCSX hosted a second Pet-A-Palooza at a different location.

WLHT-FM Sponsors "Wag and Walkathon Animal Festival"

Giving many four-legged friends something to bark about, WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Mich., provided media support for the "Wag and Walkathon Animal Festival." Three on-air personalities from WLHT served as event hosts and broadcast live from the event, which included a dog walk. Interviews and promotional mentions prior to the festival helped bring out 1,000 dog lovers, raising more than $47,000 for the Humane Society of Kent County. Making sure not to leave cats out in the cold, WLHT also provided on-air promotions and a on-air personality host for a community yard sale to raise funds for the Crash Landing Cat Rescue and Placement Center. The event raised $10,000 for the organization, which saves homeless cats by placing them with loving families.

WHTG-FM Airs Pet Adoption Segments

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Every dog that has been featured on WHTG-FM in Neptune, N.J., has gone home a happy pup. "GRock and Ruff" adoption segments, short profiles of pets living at the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), have a 100 percent adoption rate. The great success of the program has made room at the no-kill shelter to take dogs and cats from other shelters without no-kill policies. For each segment, the animal makes a visit to the studio, where WHTJ’s Terri Carr interviews Diane Peterzilla from the SPCA to allow listeners a glimpse into the life of Queenie, Muffin, Ginger and other four-legged friends. Each featured pet’s segment airs more than 35 times. During the last 15 months, a different animal has gotten a chance for adoption every week. At the conclusion of each "GRock and Ruff" segment, viewers are directed to the station Web site, which houses a dedicated area with video of each pet playing with WHTJ staff.

KYFM-FM Helps Families Find Lost Dogs

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Many a dog gone missing has found its way back home, thanks to KYFM-FM in Bartlesville, Okla., and its "Dog Gone" segment. The station announces descriptions of listeners’ lost pets 10 times each day, and the station Web site provides an online form for pet owners to submit their pet’s information. In addition, the station shows animals love by providing on-air support for its local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) all year long. When the area experienced serious flooding in 2007, the station was instrumental in helping the shelter recruit volunteers to evacuate animals. Multiple times each year, the station broadcasts live from the SPCA during fundraisers and at community events where a mobile adoption unit is present. "KYFM has been very supportive of our animal shelter," said Anita Stepp, executive director of the Washington County SPCA. "They are always willing to play pet-related public service announcements and to make announcements concerning our events and activities."

KATU-TV Helps Pets Find Homes

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It’s a story with a happy ending. Every animal that has been featured as the "Pet of the Week" on KATU-TV in Portland, Ore., has found a home. The 100 percent adoption success rate is made all the more sweet by the fact that the dogs and cats appearing on the segment are those who have been at the Oregon Humane Society for some time. Each year, the station also helps the shelter, which is the third oldest animal welfare organization in the nation, raise much-needed funds by hosting a live four-hour telethon. In 2007, the fundraiser led to 72 adoptions and raised $275,000 from individual and corporate donations, a $55,000 increase from the year before. Promotional announcements and appearances from Humane Society staff on the "AM Northwest" show helped raise awareness of the event. "The partnership that KATU has with the Oregon Humane Society literally saves lives," said Barbara Baugnon, marketing director of the Oregon Humane Society. "Pets that are highlighted weekly on KATU find homes, and the telethon raises funds that allow us to continue to provide homeless animals with shelter and medical care."

WWSW-FM Finds Homes for Animals

With the help of WWSW-FM in Pittsburgh, Pa., many animals in need of a good home now have one. Every Wednesday, the "3WS’ Pet of the Week" segment features a live interview with a representative from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, who brings the pet up for adoption for a visit to the studio. On-air personalities Merkel in the Morning, Sheri VanDyke and Mike Frazer have all been involved with the program. During 2007, the station dedicated more than 600 minutes of air time to the pet adoption program, and several staff members now have a new canine member in their family. On the station site, listeners can view pictures of the cats, dogs and bunnies featured on the air and check adoption status to see if they are still in need of a home. At least half of the pets featured are adopted within 48 hours of being named as the WWSW Pet of the Week, according to Gretchen J. Fieser, director of public relations for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. Dogs Oscar and Meyer, now settled in with their new family, can attest to the success of the program.

WCMT-AM Helps Pets Find Homes

When pets are lost, WCMT-AM in Martin, Tenn., works to make sure they are found. As one of the few places in the county without a humane society, the community relies on the "WCMT’s Pet Patrol," a one-minute segment that airs five times a day with the latest information on lost and found pets in the area. The station also lists all of the information on its Web site. So far, more than 50 pets and their families have been reunited. The "Pet Patrol" also coordinates with a group of animal-loving residents who care for unwanted and stray animals at their own homes until they are adopted. WCMT provides airtime and a Web site presence to help find homes for these animals. WCMT was a National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award finalist in 2008.

WXLK-FM Supports Area Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

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A friend to animals, WXLK-FM in Roanoke, Va., supports its local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals throughout the year. The Saturday before Halloween, the annual "Walk for the Animals" brings out four-legged participants and their owners to raise funds. Complete with a howl-o-ween theme and pet costume contest, the family event raised a record 22,000 in 2007 with the help of WXLK’s media sponsorship. In 2008, the station organized an inaugural Easter egg hunt for dogs. A hundred participants were expected for the "K92 Great Egg Beg," and 500 showed up at the "Six Wags" dog park. The $2,500 in proceeds from admission charges went directly to the SPCA. In addition to raising funds to keep the shelter open, the station also helps animals find the right home. The station’s "Pet of the Week" segment airs live on the "Danny and Zack" show and features an interview with a representative from the animal shelter and the pet up for adoption. "The staff of WXLK has been instrumental in promoting the mission of the Roanoke Valley SPCA," said Kathy Purdue, director of marketing and special events for the shelter. "They promote the necessity of spaying and neutering, the benefits of microchipping and the value of all animals."

WLYF-FM Co-Sponsors "Walk for the Animals"

More than 4,000 pet owners and their wagging best friends showed up on a Saturday morning in February to participate in the local "Walk for the Animals," a fundraising event cosponsored by WLYF-FM in Miami, Fla., every year. The event raised $195,000 for the Humane Society of Greater Miami in 2007, a 42 percent increase from 2006. Talent from WLYF hosts the walk and live updates air every hour. In the weeks leading up to the fundraiser, the station uses live and recorded announcements to invite its listeners to join the "LITE FM Paws Patrol" team or create their own. The station Web site lists information and acts as a gateway for the registration process. "Thanks to the airing of public service announcements, live mentions and deejay endorsements before the event, we can ensure that more than 3,000 people join our efforts. At the event, WLYF puts on a show and ensures that everyone has a memorable time," said Emily Marquez-Dulin, the executive director of the Humane Society of Greater Miami. "This event could not be what it is without WLYF."

KYYZ-FM Airs PSAs for Area Humane Society

When the MonDak Humane Society had more animals than it could shelter, KYYZ-FM in Williston, N.D., stepped in. The station aired public service announcements (PSA) asking listeners to provide foster homes and donate cash to help cover food and veterinary costs. Wanting to do more, music director and morning show host Ross Carpenter, a "cat person" himself, created two on-air promotions, "The Purr-y Pals Pet Club" and "The Bone Patrol." For both efforts, listeners sent in the name of their four-legged best friend, and station staff voted on the top 10 names. Those winners then brought in a picture of their pet, and the staff picked one cat and one dog owner and awarded them with a trophy and a 25-pound bag of pet food. Throughout both promotions, there were on-air appeals for donations to the MonDak Humane Society, and every listener who donated at least $5 received a miniature FM radio. In total, $875 was donated to the Humane Society.

KVUE-TV Raises Funds for Area Humane Society

When the air-conditioning system in the local humane society unexpectedly broke in the heat of the Texas summer, KVUE-TV in Austin, Texas, stepped in and organized a drive to raise money for the purchase of a new unit. Even with a temporary cooling system buying time, the Austin Humane Society was in need of $200,000 for the purchase of a permanent replacement, and the funds were needed quickly. The KVUE newscasts covered the ongoing story each day. During the weathercast, viewers were asked to donate and an update was given on where the fundraising efforts were in relation to the goal. More than 120 public service announcements reminded viewers to donate. In less than three weeks, the drive had exceeded its goal. Not only was a new unit ordered and paid for in full, excess funds were given to help maintain it. The more than a hundred residents of the shelter spent the rest of the summer cool and healthy. During the fall, KVUE was honored with the 2007 Austin Humane Society’s Guardian Award for its assistance in solving the air conditioning crisis.

KIT-AM heads Campaign to Donate Pet Oxygen Masks to Area Fire Stations

Animal-loving morning show hosts Dave Ettl and Lance Tormey of KIT-AM in Yakima, Wash., started a campaign to get pet oxygen masks for every fire department in Yakima County. Pets, like people, can suffer from smoke inhalation, and in such cases, pet oxygen masks can be life-saving. Using on-air announcements featuring Yakima Pet Rescue, which Tormey founded, enough money was raised to place pet oxygen masks on fire trucks up and down the Yakima Valley. "It really works," said Ettl. "Just last week we had a news story about a dog that was saved by use of one of these masks, and we were all high-fiving in the studio because it was one of the masks that was purchased with money we raised." Tormey has been honored with a Red Cross Real Hero Award for his work on behalf of pets.

KNDE-FM’s Kittypalooza Provides Care to 60 Rescued Cats in Brazos County, Texas

Bryan Broadcasting-owned KNDE-FM College Station, Texas, held a "Kittypalooza" drive to raise money for the medical care of 60 cats seized from an animal-hoarding situation in Brazos County. Due to their cramped and filthy living conditions, some of the cats were sick and struggling to survive. The four-hour broadcast, organized by morning show hosts Frito and Alli, raised more than $11,000 for the Brazos Animal Shelter’s Tahoka Rescue Fund. Monies in the fund are used specifically for emergency medical treatments of shelter animals and to subsidize Half-Price Adoption events.

WQRB-FM Helps Area Dogs

Tails were wagging when WQRB-FM in Eau Claire, Wis., lent its talent and air power to help the area’s four-legged friends at the 21st annual Humane Society Annual Fido Fun Run. The station, which emceed the event from start to finish, ran more than 150 public service announcements over a four-week period to promote the two-mile walk to raise funds and awareness for the Humane Society. More than $15,000 was raised for the dogs, many of which were at the event for prospective pet owners to meet and adopt. On-air personalities encouraged listeners to obtain donations for each mile walked and the station used its Web site to provide links to pledge and registration forms as well additional information about the Humane Society. An on-air interview with the director of the local Humane Society before the event also helped to bring animal lovers together for the sake of their best friends.

WTQR-FM Helps Animals Find Homes

When the Guilford Animal Shelter ended up with more animals than space, WTQR-FM in Greensboro, N.C., took to the airwaves with the "12 Strays of Christmas." Each day of the 12-day campaign, the station aired a feature segment on a four-legged friend looking for love, including interviews about the pet with a representative from the shelter. To increase the chances of each pet finding a home in time for the holidays, the station also posted videos of the animals on its Web site. Many families ended up with a new family member, thanks to the effort. Throughout the year, the station regularly supports animal-loving organizations and events, including the Humane Society, with public service announcements and inclusion in its community calendar.

KMAJ-FM Supports Humane Society

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It’s the four-legged social event of the year, and KMAJ-FM in Topeka, Kan., has broadcast from it live since its inception back in 1996. The annual Paws in the Park event is Helping Hands Humane Society’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting its day-to-day operations. To make sure pets and their people don’t miss the event’s one-mile walk, pet contests and paw readings, the station airs public service announcements and live liners, and posts information on its Web site and "Majic Cares Community Calendar." Rose Diehl, midday announcer and program director at KMAJ, has hosted the event since the beginning, and other on-air personalities serve as judges for the pet contests. Over the years, the fundraiser has brought $500,000 of support to the shelter, with KMAJ’s in-kind donations totaling more than $120,000. At the beginning of 2008, KMAJ also participated in an event to support the humane society’s plans to build a new shelter. The station partnered with a local television station for a joint radiothon/telethon, which raised more than $110,000 to make sure homeless cats and dogs have a home.

KTAO-FM Host Radiothon for Stray Hearts

The animal-loving staff at KTAO-FM in Taos, N.M., hosts an annual 12-hour radiothon to support Stray Hearts, a local no-kill shelter. During the radiothon, KTAO spreads the word about volunteer opportunities, the need for animal foster parents and the importance of spay and neuter clinics. During the year, whenever Stray Hearts meets its capacity, the station airs a live "adopt-a-thon" remote from the shelter, encouraging listeners to come meet their four-legged match. In addition, to make sure pets and their people stay together, KTAO set up a "Lost and Hound" hotline. The station airs reports on all missing pouches and felines, as well as those that have been found, twice each day. "KTAO is a core component to this community, like the glue that pulls us all together," said Lisa Davis, president of the shelter’s board of directors. "On behalf of all of us at Stray Hearts, we appreciate so much KTAO’s generosity and willingness to help get our word out." No doubt, cats and dogs throughout Taos are barking and meowing in agreement.

WJON-AM Airs a Weekly Pet Adoption Segment

Hot diggity dog! That is likely the sentiment of the many pets and families who found one another because of a weekly adoption segment aired on WJON-AM in St. Cloud, Minn. Each Friday, midday host Kelli Gorr spoke on the air with the executive director of the Tri-County Humane Society about a pet currently waiting for a home. The shelter is close to Gorr’s heart, as well as the heart of Foo, Gorr’s pet who was once a humane society resident. During the segment, volunteer opportunities and upcoming fundraisers were highlighted as well. Providing pet lovers with more programming, the station currently airs "The Pet Show," a call-in segment featuring veterinarians from a local clinic, where listeners can ask questions about their pet’s health.

Legendary Radio Duo Reunites for Pet Emergency Preparedness PSAs

Larry Lujack and Tommy Edwards, the legendary duo behind the Animal Stories radio series, recently reunited to develop a series of public service announcements that highlight the importance of pet preparedness. Two hundred radio stations across Illinois will run the PSAs sponsored by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Illinois Broadcasting Association. "These radio spots are really fun and will help us catch the listener’s ear with our message about pet preparedness," said IEMA director Jonathon Monken.

KMRY-AM Cedar Rapids Helps Pets Find Loving Homes

Independently-owned KMRY-AM Cedar Rapids, Iowa has teamed up with a local hardware store, Edgewood Do-It-Best Hardware, to support the local animal shelter and Humane Society to help find loving homes for adoptable pets. The radio station encourages listeners to visit Cedar Rapids’ PetFinder web site where locals can view photos and receive information about animals ready for adoption in their area.

WTNH-TV Sparks 100 Percent Adoption Rate for Local Animal Shelter

For many years, LIN Media’s WTNH-TV New Haven/Hartford, Conn., has featured a weekly segment focused on a pet in need of adoption. The segments have resulted in a 100 percent adoption rate for featured pets on News Channel 8. Marketing Producer Sandy Potter expects WTNH-TV’s partnership with the Robin I Kroogman Animal Shelter to continue to be a winning campaign.