The Price Is Right game show has a long history of promoting animal welfare, and one of the most iconic segments is Pet Adoption Week. This tradition, started by the late Bob Barker over 40 years ago, has been continued by Drew Carey since 2007.
The Origins of Pet Adoption Week
The concept of Pet Adoption Week dates back to 1981, when Bob Barker first introduced the segment on his show. Barker’s wife had recently passed away, and he wanted to honor her memory by promoting pet adoption. He famously closed each episode with the phrase “have your pets spayed or neutered” and introduced Pet Adoption Week as a way to encourage viewers to consider adopting a pet from a shelter.
Continuing the Tradition
When Drew Carey took over as host of The Price Is Right in 2007, he made a point to continue Barker’s tradition. In fact, Drew has been a long-time supporter of animal welfare organizations and has participated in several Pet Adoption Weeks himself. In an exclusive clip, Drew revealed that Pet Adoption Week would be returning this year, and he was joined by model James O’Halloran, who showcased one of the adorable animals up for adoption. The clip showed Drew and James introducing a 71-pound mixed-breed dog named Rod, who is looking for his forever home.
- James shared that Rod is a “handsome boy” who “thinks he’s a lap dog” and has spent about a year at the Wags and Walks adoption center.
- James suggested that viewers interested in adopting or fostering a sweet boy like Rod should reach out to their local shelter today.
The Organization Behind Pet Adoption Week
Wags & Walks is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2011 by Lesley Brog. The organization’s mission is to reduce euthanasia in local shelters and increase awareness of rescue dogs being wonderful pets. Wags & Walks has rescue and adoption centers in Los Angeles, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, and hosts events such as New York Summer Pup Up.
| Location | Event |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | New York Summer Pup Up |
| Nashville, Tennessee | Rescue and Adoption Center |
A Call to Action
If you’re interested in adopting or fostering a pet, Wags & Walks encourages you to reach out to your local shelter. James suggested that viewers interested in adopting a sweet boy like Rod should contact their local shelter today.
Additional Resources
Wags & Walks has a website that provides more information on donating to the organization, fostering, applying to adopt, and more. They also have an Instagram page, @wagsandwalks, where you can see photos and videos of their adorable animals available for adoption.
A Tribute to Bob Barker
Drew Carey has continued Bob Barker’s tradition of promoting pet adoption and welfare. In his sign-off, Drew says “Please get your pets spayed or neutered. Help control the pet population” and “Take care of yourself” and “especially mental health.” This is a nod to Barker’s iconic phrase, which he used to close each episode.
“Everybody loves you. I love you and we’ll see you next time on The Price Is Right.”
A New Beginning
Pet Adoption Week will return this year, presented on CBS from Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2. This marks a new beginning for the tradition, which has been continued by Drew Carey since 2007.
Conclusion
The Price Is Right has a long history of promoting animal welfare, and Pet Adoption Week is a testament to that. By continuing the tradition started by Bob Barker, Drew Carey has shown that the show is committed to making a positive impact on the community. As Wags & Walks continues to work towards reducing euthanasia in local shelters and increasing awareness of rescue dogs, we can all play a role in helping to make a difference.
