by Amy Sacks
April 30, 2005 Saturday
Fans of the funny pages are generally hankering for a laugh - not a lesson in animal welfare. But this week, readers of the 'Mutts' comic strip, featuring the adventures of Earl the lovable dog and Mooch the cat, are more likely to feel a tug on their heart.
Through May 1, 'Mutts' cartoonist Patrick McDonnell devotes his strip to "Shelter Stories" to promote the North Shore Animal League's weekend-long Pet Adoptathon 2005, which kicks off today in shelters throughout the world.
Last year more than 1,600 shelters from 50 states and 23 countries participated in the adoption marathon, now in its 11th year. "Nothing makes me happier than receiving letters from people who were inspired to adopt a cat or dog," said McDonnell, whose syndicated strip is published in more than 500 newspapers.
Since 1998 he has devoted a week of "Shelter Stories" annually to focus public attention on animals in shelters and encourage animal adoption. This year the week-long strip follows Andy, a longhaired dachshund, from his lonely days at the shelter to his surprise and excitement at being adopted into a loving home.
Each year 8 million to 10 million dogs and cats will enter animal shelters in the United States and only half will be adopted.
"Patrick has made it possible for shelters around the world to adopt out all these wonderful mutts," said Margie Stein, North Shore Animal League's director of public relations. McDonnell's inspiration for 'Mutts' comes from Earl, his real-life 16-year-old Jack Russell terrier, and once-feral cat Meemow, who are never too far from the artist's drawing table.
"'Mutts' characters Earl and Mooch, who have loving homes and loving guardians, also inspire the artist to think about the animals in the shelters who need that same love," he said.
McDonnell credits his mentor, 'Peanuts' creator Charles Schulz - the first cartoonist to portray a dog's thoughts and feelings - for getting him interested in both dogs and cartooning."Snoopy was my boyhood hero," said McDonnell, curator of the current exhibit, "Top Dogs: Comic Canines Before and After Snoopy," at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif., which runs through mid-September.
His concern for animals has gained him the attention of the animal welfare community. In March he was honored with the Ark Trust's Genesis Award, which recognizes artists who communicate animal issues with creativity and integrity.
"I hope everyone who reads 'Mutts' will choose their next pet from an animal shelter," he said.'Mutts' continues week-long theme of "Shelter Stories," uplifting tales of pets who have found a new leash on life via adoption. Cartoonist Patrick McDonnell ran the series to promote Pet Adoptathon campaign that begins today.
For more info, or donations: Pet Adoptathon 2005, North Shore Animal League, 16 Lewyt St., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050. Call the hotline, (877) 236 9725, for a list of participating shelters, or visit nsalamerica.
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