Animal Lovers Invited to Participate In Remember Me Thursday® Global Campaign

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  (September 18, 2024) – In just over one week, on Thursday, September 26, animal-lovers across the world will unite their voices for orphan pets by honoring Remember Me Thursday® (RMT).  Social media postings using the hashtags #RememberMeThursday and #ShineALight, as well as candle lighting ceremonies, proclamations, and even flag raisings, will remind the world that orphan animals need our help to raise awareness of their plight.

 

The campaign, launched just twelve years ago by Helen Woodward Animal Center, has touched over 190 countries and has made over 2 billion social media impressions.  Helen Woodward Animal Center asks each individual to take a few simple steps to become a powerful voice for the voiceless.  Here is look at the campaign, why its annual momentum is so important, and the easy way you can participate!

 

RMT was established in 2013 by Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms.  Moved by the staggering statistic of over one million homeless pets who lose their lives each year in the U.S., Arms put out a call to rescue organizations in an attempt to create a global awareness campaign.  As creator of the International Pet Adoptathon and the International Home 4 the Holidays® program (placing over 21 million pets in homes since 1999), he was able to send out an expansive request and the response was significant.

 

Now in its twelfth year, RMT is honored across the world with hundreds of thousands of individuals and more than 1,000 separate global animal welfare organizations spreading the message on social media.  The enormous swell of celebrity support has resulted in the topic trending each year on both Facebook and Twitter.

 

NEXT WEEK: Join 2024 Luminary Kaley Cuoco + Nearly 100 Influential Luminaries On-Line: 

In July, renowned actress and animal-activist Kaley Cuoco signed on as a Remember Me Thursday® Celebrity Luminary.  Kaley Cuoco is best known for her starring role as Penny on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory between 2007 and 2019 and, most recently, as the title character in the HBOMax comedic thriller The Flight Attendant which earned her nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Off-screen, the Emmy-nominated actress has developed a well-known reputation for being an animal advocate who often adopts rescue animals.

 

Cuoco joins the Remember Me Thursday® campaign during an incredibly crucial year.  Perhaps due to an unstable economic and political climate, adoption rates have plummeted across the country and euthanasia rates are on the rise.

 

“Remember Me Thursday focuses attention on the plight of shelter animals across the country during a critical time of increasing euthanasia rates and overcrowded shelters,” said Cuoco.  “It has never been more important that we encourage the public to save a life by adopting a rescue pet from their local shelter.”

 

Cuoco joins an impressive list of celebrity supporters also aligning themselves with RMT.  Notable personalities, professional athletes, pet behaviorists and social media pet stars have signed on as “luminaries,” committing to share their thoughts on pet adoption in videos and via their social media accounts throughout the campaign.  Nearly 100 influential luminaries have joined the cause.  Past and present supporters include:

 

Notable Film, TV and Stage Personalities:  Andie MacDowell (2023 Official Spokesperson), Ashley Bell, Bellamy Young, Bethenny Frankel (2019 Official Spokesperson), Beth Stern, Bo Derek, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Brittany Aldean (2021 Official Spokesperson), Carrie Ann Inaba (2015 Official Spokesperson), Christian Siriano, David Tutera, Daymond John, Debbie Gibson, Diane Keaton, Elaine HendrixEric Roberts, George Lopez, Jamie Little, Jasmine Tookes (2022 Official Spokesperson), Javicia Leslie, Jennie Garth (2020 Official Spokesperson), Katherine Heigl (2014 Official Spokesperson), Kathy Najimy, Kevin Frazier, Kristin Bauer, Kristin Chenoweth (2017 Official Spokesperson), Linda Blair, Lou Wegner, Mark Steines, Melissa Peterman, Pauley Perrette (2016 Official Spokesperson),  Rainey Qualley (2023 Official Spokesperson), Rick Springfield, Ross Mathews, Sandra Lee, Wil Wheaton, and Wynonna Judd (2018 Official Spokesperson).

 

Cartoonists: Greg Evans (creator of LUANN), and Patrick McDonnell (creator of MUTTS).

 

Professional Athletes:  Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings), Bryan Bickell (Chicago Blackhawks), David Backes (Anaheim Ducks), Evan Longoria (San Francisco Giants), Jake Muzzin (Los Angeles Kings), Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings), Joey Logano (NASCAR), Kevin Kiermaier (Tampa Bay Rays), Liam Hendriks (Oakland A’s), Logan Ryan (Tennessee Titans), Marc Rzepczynski (World Series Champion), Mark Buehrle (World Series Champion), Rodney Peete, and Ryan Newman (NASCAR).

 

Animal Specialty Celebrities: Lee Asher, Dr. Marty Becker, Gabriel Feitosa, Hannah Shaw, Jack Hanna, Jill Rappaport, Larissa Wohl, Megan Rose, Tamar Geller, Victoria Stilwell, and Wendy Diamond.

 

Animal Celebrities:  Alien Cat Matilda, Baloo, Bamboo, Belarus the Cat, Best Boy Brodie, Boogie Shoes, Chewie, Chi Chi, Chloe, Choupette Lagerfeld, Cole and Marmalade, Cooper, Fugee, Josh, Justin Fire Survivor, Kitten Faces, Lil BUB, Louie, Memphis, Mimo and Kirry, Molly Happiness, Monty Boy, Mork, Mr. Bigglesworth, My Cat Kyle, My Dear Puddin, Nala Cat, Norbert, Paddington, Piglet, Purrminators, Sauerkraut Kitty, Smush, Spencer, Stevie, Sunglass Cat, Tango, Tuna, Venus, White Coffee Cat, and Worried Cat.

 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE ON-LINE:

On Thursday, September 26th, to participate in the 2024 Remember Me Thursday® campaign on-line, individuals are encouraged to get the entire world talking about pet adoption by tweeting, tagging, posting and sharing the beauty and life-saving significance of pet adoption using the hashtag #RememberMeThursday, #ShineALight and @hwac.

 

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get involved with #RememberMeThursday is to post your rescue pets and their story on social media.

 

Here are a few tips for posting to social media:

 

Not sure what to post? Here are some fun ideas!

  • Share your rescue pet and their story
  • Create a video showing your pet from when you adopted them to today
  • Have a photoshoot with your pet
  • Share a video teaching your pet a new trick
  • Share a Day in the life of your rescue pet

 

Animal-lovers can win life-saving funds, toys and food for adoptable pets looking for forever families at their favorite non-profit, pet adoption organization. To enter the Remember Me Thursday Social Media Contest, simply upload your rescue pet’s photo and story to the #RememberTheRescue Photo Wall for a chance to win!* (*Restrictions apply.  Final selection remains at the sole discretion of Helen Woodward Animal Center).

 

Animal-lovers can also win life-saving funds, toys and food for adoptable pets looking for forever families at their favorite non-profit, pet adoption organization. To enter the Remember Me Thursday Social Media Contest, simply upload your rescue pet’s photo and story to the contest page for a chance to win!* (*Restrictions apply.  Final selection remains at the sole discretion of Helen Woodward Animal Center).

 

For more information on Remember Me Thursday® and a full list of participating celebrities and animal welfare organizations, go to https://remembermethursday.org.

 

 

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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world.  For more information, go to:  https://animalcenter.org.

About Remember Me Thursday®
Animal lovers and organizations across the globe unite on the fourth Thursday in September to light a candle in remembrance of the millions of homeless pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home and to shine a light via social media on the millions of orphan pets still waiting for their forever homes.   The Remember Me Thursday® global awareness campaign is championed by Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center, and creator of both the International Pet Adoptathon and successful Home 4 the Holidays program which, in partnership with national animal organizations, has placed over 21 million pets in homes since 1999.  For more information, please visit https://remembermethursday.org or via hashtag #RememberMeThursday on social media.

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!