For many years Houston has been dealing with the devastating effects of animal overpopulation. Each day, countless animals roam the streets, homeless, hungry and frightened or end up in shelters. In a seemingly endless cycle, many of these animals are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes. Houston-based charity, the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) has been working for more than 18 years to stop this cycle by providing free and low-cost sterilization services to the community, preventing the birth of unwanted animals and giving shelter and rescue animals a better chance at adoption. Through their stationary Spay Neuter and Wellness Clinic and their one-of-a-kind mobile clinic SNAP provides free and low-cost options for anyone that wants to do the right thing for their companion animal, but may lack the funds.
The Collars for a Cause Celebration, presented by LIFE+DOG, Momentum Volvo and Pet Paradise Pet Resorts, is a fun and fabulous online auction of beautiful one-of-a-kind collars custom made by celebrities, designers, artists and dignitaries! The annual event raises much-needed funds to help SNAP provide free and low-cost services to those in the community that need it the most!
“We are thrilled to partner with SNAP and Momentum Volvo,” said Diane Caplan, e-commerce and marketing director for Momentum Motercars. “Organizations like SNAP are a vital resource to our community, providing low-cost, high-quality healthcare options for Houston’s animals and free services to those in the community who need it the most.”
“By providing free and low-cost spay and neuter services, SNAP is helping to end the cycle of animal overpopulation in Texas,” said Fred Goldsmith, CEO of Pet Paradise Pet Resorts. “Preventing the birth of unwanted, unloved animals not only decreases the amount of animals that will enter area shelters, it also makes for a happier and healthier companion animal. Pet Paradise is proud to be a part of the solution to animal overpopulation and to support SNAP’s vision of a world where there are no homeless dogs or cats.”
The online auction begins April 13th and runs through May 15. The site features one-of-a-kind collars created by designers, celebrities, artists, and other public figures who are passionate about making a difference for animals throughout the nation. Joining us for 2012 are the inaugural Collars For A Cause designer ambassadors: artist Ron Burns, actress Margaret Cho, actress and singer Jordin Sparks, and designer Elaine Turner. In addition, supporters will have a chance to bid on designs from omg!Yahoo’s Kristen Aldridge, Chrome Canine, Missy Johnson, Broadway stars Orfeh and Andy Karl, television personality Dina Manzo, Annise Parker, Denise Richards, Tori Spelling, and more! The auction provides winning bidders with the opportunity to directly affect the animal welfare crisis while adorning their own walls, or wigglebutts, with incredible art pieces that symbolize working together for the common good of the entire community.
Collars for a Cause was created by LIFE+DOG Magazine’s founder and publisher Brett Chisholm who has been an avid supporter of SNAP since learning of their impact in the community. “I have personally witnessed the appreciation on the faces of animal guardians who line up early in the morning to receive SNAP’s services at the mobile clinic, which further ignites my passion for making these services available to those who need it the most,” says Chisholm. “Additionally, I think SNAP serves as a great example of what communities across the nation can do to effectively address and eradicate animal overpopulation. With that in mind, we wanted to create this opportunity to engage an entirely new set of people and bring attention to an issue that is often overlooked,” says Chisholm. “We’re so grateful for the support of our sponsors and creative collar designers who are helping us take the message of the importance of spaying and neutering your companion animals to the masses.”
The Collars for a Cause auction begins on Friday, April 13, 2012, and will end on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. This auction provides you with chance-of-a-lifetime opportunities to acquire unique and beautiful objects created by talented people who love animals, so be sure to check them out on the Collars for a Cause website starting on the 13th, or visit the Collars for a Cause page on Facebook for a preview of this year’s designs.
The Collars For A Cause Celebration and auction would not be possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors which include: LIFE+DOG; Momentum Volvo; Pet Paradise Resorts; Digital Function; Merial; ADP; Office Effects, Inc.; the SNAP Board of Directors; Phylis Anazlone; Capital One Bank; Tito’s Vodka; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Best Friends Animal Society; the Vander Ploeg Family; Friends of BARC,; Joe and Jewell Maida; Kim Hartz Photography; The Upper Hand Salon; Deogi Dog Daycare, Spa and Resort and Texas Dogs & Cats Magazine.
About SNAP:
SNAP, the recipient of the 2009 and 2011 Pinnacle Award from the Better Business Bureau, is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates in Houston, and San Antonio, Texas, with a mission to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation, especially in low-income areas. SNAP envisions a world without homeless dogs and cats. Both Houston and San Antonio have expressed the desire to become “no kill” cities in the near future. SNAP recognizes that sterilization programs, which by definition reduce the number of animals that could possibly be born, are essential to these communities’ reaching that desired status. SNAP will focus on helping these cities reach their goal by designing, delivering, promoting, and advancing community-based animal sterilization services. For more information about SNAP and its programs, visit www.snapus.org
About LIFE+DOG:
Debuting in 2011, LIFE+DOG is a lifestyle publication that caters to the dog lover. LIFE+DOG brings together award-winning photography, compelling interviews, innovative content and pertinent information in a fresh new way. Whether integrating their dog’s needs into home decor, searching for great animal-friendly destinations, or staying up to date on the latest national trends, LIFE+DOG guides our readers through “Modern Living with Man’s Best Friend.” www.lifeanddog.com.
About Momentum Volvo:
Momentum Volvo, located at 10150 SW Fwy. in Houston, Texas, offers Volvo’s latest must-have models as well as previously owned automobiles. They serve the entire greater-Houston area as well as the growing number of online automobile consumers. Momentum Volvo understands the internet customer and provides a hassle free internet experience which includes long-distance transactions and shipping to locations throughout the nation as well as overseas. To view available automobiles or to learn more about Momentum Volvo, visit www.momentumvolvo.net or call 800-548-2952.
About Pet Paradise:
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. With more than 250 employees, Pet Paradise was formed in 2002 and currently has 16 facilities in operation of which nine are located throughout Florida; three are in Houston, and one each in New Orleans, Plano and Charlotte. The Pet Paradise facilities include spacious dog and cat boarding suites as well as day care and grooming services. For more information visit:www.petparadiseresort.com