The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Canadians are animal lovers. Each one of the more than 15 million dogs, cats, rabbits, fish and other animals who share our homes are just "one of the family", and Canada Post has responded by creating four "fetching" new stamps celebrating our favourite furred and finned companions that will be available for sale in post offices across the country today. "The Pets for Life Contest and these beautiful stamps are a wonderful way to celebrate our best friends," says Al Hickey, Western Regional Director for The Humane Society of Canada. "We share our home with a group of eccentric rescue dogs and cats, that includes a three legged dog and a 19 year old cat who still thinks she's a kitten," says HSC Executive Director, Michael O'Sullivan. "Everyone says that people are smarter than animals, but I'm not so sure. Like many other Canadians, we cook for them, buy birthday presents for them, include them in our Wills, and let them sleep wherever they like and even talk to them over the telephone." Experts have long proclaimed the benefits of pet ownership for children, adults and the elderly. Caring for a pet can be a meaningful and wonderful experience, with pets encouraging their human-friends to engage in laughter, fun and exercise. Even more important, pets provide their humans the experience of a loyal and loving friendship that can last for decades: Caring for your pet is a lifetime commitment of time, energy, emotion and money. Each day, postal employees see the tragedy of irresponsible care along their delivery routes. Also included are some fun pet projects including plush toys, playing cards, a letter writing kit and a clock that all star the images of the pets featured on the stamps. Canadians can also enter the Canada Post Pets for Life Contest, with $10,000 in prizes to be won. Contest entry forms are available at over 7,000 Canada Post outlets, the Humane Society of Canada and online at www.canadapost.ca. Everyone is invited to share what makes their pet special and random winners will be selected from all entries. One Grand Prize winner will receive an HP digital photography package, a year's supply of Purina Pro Plan pet food and a Pet Plan Pet insurance policy. Hundreds of secondary prize packages will allow winners to make a star out of their own pet with free Picture PostageTM stamps kit or to enjoy a pets product gift pack. You can learn more about the contest by visiting humanesociety.com or by calling toll free 1-800-641-KIND. The Humane Society of Canada hopes that Canada Post's influence and reach both nationally and in our communities will continue to play an important part in our goal of making sure that every pet in Canada has a permanent loving home. We also believe that these beautiful images put a face on the plight of homeless animals, and that many caring Canadians will come out in force to support these stamps.
