Ceva, ACVB launches Keep the LOVE Alive Behavior Express 2012 Tour (Sponsored by Ceva Animal Health)

The Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express 2012 Tour-complete with its own branded coach bus-will arrive at six locations across the United States to reinforce the role of veterinarians in addressing pet behavior issues.

The joint venture between Ceva Animal Health, makers of Feliway and Adaptil, and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) hope by fostering relationships between pet owners and veterinarians behavior issues will be met with treatment plans and the instance of euthanasia can be reduced.

Each pet fair will provide the opportunity for local veterinarians and team members to staff educational booths free of charge. The fairs will also feature board-certified veterinary behaviorists available to answer pet owner questions, shelter booths with adoptable pets, and free giveaways from Ceva. Attendees of the pet fairs will be able to donate $1 to Ceva's Paws for the Cause campaign, which will help support local shelters.

The tour begins with a kick-off event for veterinarians and media Aug. 2 from 5-9 p.m. at the San Diego Zoo Zoofari Party area in San Diego, Calif., and continues with pet fairs at these locations:

• Aug. 11, in Chicago, Ill. at the Lincoln Park Zoo's Lester Fisher Bridge/Nature Boardwalk, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Aug. 17, in New York City at the Pier 84 Dog Run at Hudson River Park, 9 a.m. to noon

• Aug. 25, in Kansas City, Mo. at the Swope Park Dog Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sept. 8, in Dallas at the Main Street Garden, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sept. 15, in Atlanta, Ga. at the Centennial Olympic Park/Game Plaza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sept. 30, in Los Angeles at the Griffith Park/Crystal Springs Picnic Area, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Thousands of pets die needlessly each year because of untreated behavior problems," Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, spokesperson for the tour, says. "ACVB and Ceva want pet owners to know there are medically sound options available from their local veterinarians to modify and treat these pets before it’s too late. This campaign will go a long way to addressing these alarming statistics and keep the love alive between pets and their families."

Sign up for a free pet fair booth

Veterinarians can register for a tour booth by calling 1-800-815-3400, by emailing the practice name, address, phone number and clinic contact to Michele.kaminski@ceva.com or by faxing a completed registration form to (218) 740-6583. Clinics will be contacted within 48 hours of registration with details and ideas on how to maximize the event experience. Prizes will be awarded to the clinics in attendance for the most creative booth, most new customer leads, and more.

More information and the registration form can be found at www.KeepTheLoveAliveTour.com.