Finally some cute stamps -- and for a great cause!
The Postmaster General today unveiled the postal service's 2010 social awareness stamp and the set is called Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet. The idea is to increase people's awareness of shelter animals and to promote adoption.
The Postal Service is working with Ellen DeGeneres and Halo, Purely for Pets, a company she co-owns, to promote the campaign called Stamps to the Rescue.
"This is a subject that I am extremely passionate about. By working together, we can find good homes for millions of adoptable, homeless and abandoned pets," DeGeneres said in a release. "And until they get adopted, I'm happy to say that Halo and I are giving one million meals to shelter pets that are waiting for you."
The stamps can be pre-ordered today at usps.com/shop, stampstotherescue.com, or by calling 1.800.STAMP.24 (1.800.782.6724). The stamps will go on sale April 30 at post offices nationwide.
The stamps feature five cats and five dogs., photos taken by veteran stamp photographer Sally Andersen-Bruce. All of the animals were adopted from a shelter in New Milford, Conn.
Cats and dogs have been featured on other U.S. postage stamps. A 13-cent stamp of a kitten and puppy playing in the snow was issued in 1982 for use on holiday postcards, in 1998, images of a cat and a dog were included in the "Bright Eyes" set of five pets, and most recently, in 2002, photographs of a kitten and puppy were featured on the "Neuter or Spay" stamps.
Past social awareness stamps have highlighted important issues such as children's health, literacy, breast cancer awareness, organ and tissue donation, philanthropy and Alzheimer's awareness.