WHAT:

Special dedication of the “Pets” Forever Stamps

WHO:

USPS Ohio Valley District Manager of Post Office Operations Barbara Cardoza 
Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP) President Bob Howard

WHEN:

Saturday, August 20 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

SAAP Station
58 Martha Layne Collins Blvd.
Cold Spring/Highland Heights, KY 41076

BACKGROUND:

In a tribute to America’s favorite pets, the U.S. Postal Service will hold a special dedication of Forever stamps featuring photographs of 20 different domestic animals — two dogs, two cats, two birds, two fish, four reptiles, five rodents, a crustacean, a rabbit and a horse.

The special dedication ceremony for the Pets stamps will take place at the Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP) Station, 58 Martha Layne Collins Blvd, Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076. Participating in the dedication event will be USPS Ohio Valley District Manager of Post Office Operations Barbara Cardoza and SAAP President Bob Howard. SAAP, a volunteer-supported program, “adopted out” 3,552 dogs and cats last year and expects to adopt out 4,000 or more this year.

“More than half of all U.S. homes have at least one pet, and that number increases every year. The most common are cats and dogs, but all types of pets provide love, happiness and companionship for their owners,” said Cardoza. “The bonds we create with animals improve our physical and emotional well-being and our pets truly become members of the family.”

The stamps feature 20 existing photographs of different animals taken against white backgrounds by Eric Isselée. Each photograph represents animals that are loved: puppies, betta fish, iguanas, hamsters, goldfish, parrots, guinea pigs, tortoises, rabbits, kittens, corn snakes, mice, hermit crabs, chinchillas, gerbils, dogs, parakeets, horses, cats and geckos. Inspired by her lifelong love of animals, art director Derry Noyes designed these stamps.

Though cats and dogs are the more traditional choice, pets come in all shapes and sizes. Small mammals, like hamsters, gerbils and mice, are popular choices for many people, especially those with limited space that might not accommodate larger animals. Slightly larger mammals, like rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, have also become much more prevalent in American homes, particularly for families with older children.

Previous stamps featuring animals include: Adopt a Shelter Pet, 2009; Spay and Neuter, 2002; Bright Eyes, 1998; American Dogs, 1984; American Cats, 1988; Puppy and Kitten, 1982 and Seeing For Me, 1979.

The special Pets stamps dedication event is free and open to the public. The Pets stamps will be on sale at the event and are available online at http://usps.com/stamps as well as at Post Offices everywhere.