Hallmark’s plush characters Jingle and Bell are still enjoying quite a lot of popularity. They are now going to use it to help real pets find new homes. The two husky puppies will be part of a big holiday campaign with Best Friends Animal Society to find homes for 2000 shelter pets in the next two years.
“Hallmark and Best Friends have the shared goals of caring and compassion for people and pets alike,” said John X. Watson, president of Hallmark Retail. “Along with Jingle and Bell, we are looking forward to supporting the efforts to find forever homes for pets in need.”
There will be a new themed collection of Jingle and Bell stuffed animals and items. It will feature both new stuffies with the characters, but also new toys for pets. Amongst them will be a stuffed soft bone, plush squeaky toys for dogs and many more. The collection will also feature sweaters, books and DVD of Jingle and Bell holiday programs. All of the toys and items will be cobranded by Hallmark and Best Friends Animal Society, featuring information about the campaign and ways to help.
The partnership doesn’t end here. Over the next two years Hallmark will donate 100 000 dollars to the Best Friends Animal Society. The money will be used to cover pet adoption fees for the 2000 animals that are the goal to be taken out from the shelters and put into new, loving homes.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Hallmark on this campaign,” said Gregory Castle, co-founder and CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “Between the awareness we’re going to generate from being in-store and on Hallmark’s website to the money they’ve committed to directly impact dogs and cats currently in shelters, we know we’re getting closer to achieving our mission to Save Them All.”
Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 4 million. And they will not be done until that number is zero, the official statement says. You can find out more about the campaign here.
