Tour For Life Takes Off To Promote Pet Adoption

North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) kick started its 10th Tour For Life cross-country adoption event last week as celebrities, volunteers, and pet lovers alike came to send off the mobile adoption units.

Tour For Life, North Shore Animal League America's national initiative to save animal lives, is the world's largest cooperative mobile pet adoption event. For one month the Animal League's mobile adoption units will travel two cross-country routes, simultaneously, stopping at scheduled destinations in 28 cities in 17 states helping more than 100 shelters and rescue groups find homes for orphaned pets. By the tour's end, the two mobile adoption units will have covered more than 12,000 miles.

"This next month will be dedicated to saving puppies, and giving them a great home," NSALA President John Stevenson said. "These are animals that can find a wonderful, loving home if we try to help them."

More than 1,000 animals were saved from the cruelty of puppy mills and inhumane treatment in 2009. In 2010, the Animal League's goal is over 1,100 animals.

Beth Ostrosky Stern, a North Shore Animal League spokesperson who was among the handful of celebrity supporters present at the kickoff event, said she is an advocate of stopping inhumane treatment of animals and rescuing dogs from puppy mills. She added that she believes that helping animals is "always a rewarding cause."

"I have always been involved in saving the lives of these animals," said Ostrosky Stern, who said she recently adopted a special needs cat, whom she named Apple. "There are so many advantages to helping them find the loving homes they need."

In addition to the righteous journey the Tour for Life drivers have embarked on, 54 dogs were saved from puppy mills and brought back to the safety of the shelter during the kickoff event last week.

Dr. Jennifer Jablow, "Dentist to the Stars," has two Shiatsus that she adopted from local shelters. She said she advocates adoption instead of purchasing an animal from a puppy store or breeder. "There are tons of loveable animals found in shelters," she said. "And every time you purchase a dog from a breeder or pet store, you are funding puppy mills."

Tour for Life will conclude on April 27 in New York City's Time Square. Its grand finale will be hosted by pop artist Mya, a passionate animal lover and rescuer, who has worked with the Animal League in the past.

"It is so important to educate the general public on animal shelters," Jablow said. "Whether you get a puppy or full-grown dog, you are helping an animal more than you know."