DoSomething.org and AOL Help Shelter Animals Find Homes Through 'Pics for Pets'

By Sara Tan Sep 20th 2012

Fashion photographer Nigel Barker is working with DoSomething.org and AOL to help fight on behalf of homeless shelter animals through their new Pics for Pets campaign. This nationwide animal-adoption campaign aims to increase adoption rates with adorable, shareable pictures of the animals.

Approximately 5-7 million companion animals enter shelters across the country every year, and of those pets, 3-4 million are euthanized because they are not adopted. One reason these pets are not adopted is due to the sub-par photos (or lack thereof) of these animals. DoSomething.org wants to change this, hoping that teens will help provide better, more irresistible photos of animals in their social networks, increasing adoption rates.

With the help of Facebook, DoSomething.org has created an easy-to-use app that will enable users to share pictures of animals in their community. Through this app, users will also be able to learn how to take photos, upload them to a gallery, and spread the word about shelter animals and where to adopt them.

Said campaign spokesperson Nigel Barker, "It's been a really rewarding experience helping bring awareness to animal adoption, and it hasn't hurt that I'm working with the most affectionate photo subjects I've had yet: animals. I'm hoping teens will take my lead and brush up on their photography skills while helping to save a few animals' lives."

To view Nigel Barker's PSA and get started with Pics for Pets, visit the Pics for Pets website, download the Pics for Pets mobile or Facebook app, or text "PETS" to 38383.