Chicago’s Second Annual Adopt Hop September 11, 2010

Chicago, IL- The city’s second annual Adopt Hop is a collaboration among nine animal rescue organizations and Lakeview and Wrigleyville area bars, and the event will kick off an Awareness Campaign to End Pet Overpopulation. The Adopt Hop will take place on Saturday, September 11th, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by a Rescue Rally and Raffle from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. The campaign’s mission is to encourage the acquisition of companion animals through rescue and adoption, and to highlight the correlation between pet overpopulation and the responsibility we bear as individuals when we obtain our pets.
The Awareness Campaign to End Pet Overpopulation takes note of the harsh reality of animal welfare in the U.S. With more than four million cats and dogs being killed every year around the country and more than 20,000 in Chicagoland alone, the undeniable fact is that there are too many potential pets and not enough families willing to adopt them. Campaign proponents maintain we will change this unnecessary tragedy when people stop buying their pets, and instead, make the personal decision to adopt. The campaign’s message is clear – Adopt, Don’t Buy, so Animals Don’t Die.
Participants will begin at the corner of Addison Street and Clark Avenue, and end their journey at Rockit Bar and Grill, 3700 N. Clark Avenue, where comedian Josh Alton will emcee for the Rescue Rally. At 2:00 p.m., participants will pick up their maps at Addison and Clark Avenue, and commence the Hop. From there, they are free to walk to each of nine neighborhood bars (in any order) within the four hour time frame to enjoy drink and food specials, including Tommy Bahama Rum, as well as giveaway items. Rescue organizations including ALIVE Rescue, Chicago Bully Breed Rescue, Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, New Leash on Life, Project Rescue Chicago, Puppy Love/Love Cats, Tree House Humane Society, Virtually Home Chicago, and Young at Heart will be represented at the participating locations, where they will display their unique missions and support of the campaign. At 6:00 p.m., everyone will meet at Rockit Bar and Grill for a celebration including a Rescue Rally and Raffle.
The cost of tickets is $25 in advance (t-shirt and giveaways included). Early registration and additional information can be found on the Adopt Don’t Buy campaign website, www.AdoptHopChicago.org. Same day tickets may also be purchased for $30 at any participating bar. Proceeds from the Adopt Hop will be shared by the participating rescue organizations.
Members of Chicago’s animal welfare community believe the ultimate success of their “Adopt Don’t Buy” campaign will be a society in which all companion animals are beloved family members. It is a mission, they believe, which will end animal homelessness in the U.S. and put an end to the senseless killing of homeless cats and dogs.