Ad campaign promotes veterinary care in Nevada

RENO, NEV. — Maddie's Fund® revved up a campaign in northern Nevada to promote regular veterinary visits for pets. The campaign, "Pets Love Vets," aims to help pets live longer, healthier lives by educating residents about pet care and connecting them with local veterinarians.

"Pets Love Vets" will feature television ads through mid-July on northern Nevada network and cable stations, directing residents to www.PetsLoveVets.com.

"We believe that starting a lasting relationship with a trusted, local veterinarian is one of the best ways to ensure longer, healthier lives for pets," says Richard Avanzino, president of Maddie's Fund.."

Maddie's Fund selected northern Nevada as its pilot site to complement current pet-welfare activities under way by local veterinarians and shelters. For example, the University of Nevada, Reno, conducted a survey from November 2007 to February 2008 of more than 600 northern Nevadans to determine rates of pet ownership, spaying/neutering and other opinions.

The survey found the No. 1 reason owners give up pets is perceived behavioral problems.