The Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express Tour 2012 is hitting the road this summer! The goal of the tour is to raise awareness about, and help reduce, the number of pets that are being abandoned, relinquished or even euthanized due solely to behavior problems.

Behavior problems in pets can cause people to give up their pets. Most pets are relinquished at a very young age, and once pets go to the shelter, the chances they will be euthanized are high. That’s why the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) has endorsed the Ceva Animal Health, makers of FELIWAY and ADAPTIL pheromone products, Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express Tour 2012.
Pet owners need to learn:

1. Solving behavior problems can save pets lives.
2. There are medically-sound options to modify and treat behavior problems.
3. Visiting with your veterinarian can help you determine the best behavior treatment plan for your pet.

What can I expect?
The Behavior Express will be traveling 12,500 miles across the U.S. and stopping in six cities to host Pet Fairs. At each Pet Fair there will be family friendly entertainment, local veterinarians will be there with fun educational booths, an appearance by “America’s Veterinarian” Dr. Marty Becker, nationally recognized veterinary behaviorists, including Dr. Debra Horwitz, and even a mini-science fair about animal pheromones and how they can help improve behavioral problems in pets. You can also expect music, local celebrities and lots of free giveaways.

What is the big deal about behavior?
Behavior problems can be a major issue facing pet owners, whether it starts at initial adoption or purchase, or after a major change in the household, like moving, a new baby, or the addition of another pet. Incidental triggers, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots or other loud noises, can also have a profound effect on pet behavior.

Many pet owners think they can change their pet’s behavior themselves, and when they can’t, they get frustrated and often give up. This results in relinquishment, and sometimes even euthanization of the animal. A veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist can help! There are behavior modification programs, treatment plans and other options to help aid you and your pet with challenging behavior in pets. The Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express Tour 2012, in cooperation with local veterinarians in each city, aims to help educate pet owners on several options, and have a little fun while doing it.

Who are Pherris & Mona?
Pherris, the dog, and Mona, the cat, are the faces of the Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express Tour. A “Pherris” and a “Mona” will be at every stop along the way as examples of pets that have been relinquished to a shelter due to behavior problems. Every city has dozens, maybe even hundreds, of “Pherris” and “Mona’s” – big, small, cute, cuddly, fuzzy – that needs permanent homes. The “Pherris” and “Mona” in each city will be available for adoption at each event.

What else can I do to help?
At each stop, attendees will be able to purchase “Paws for a Cause.” Each “paw” is $1.00. Along the way we will display the “paws” purchased in each city to demonstrate pet owner generosity in raising money to help support pets. Tour t-shirts will also be sold at every venue. At the end of the tour all monies donated will be put back into local communities to support shelter efforts in providing care and adoption outreach for pets.