Iams has teamed up with television sweetheart Felicity Huffman of “Desperate Housewives” to launch its annual Home 4 the Holidays pet-adoption program. They aim to find homes for 1 million animals by early 2009. “When our family decided to get a new pet,” the actress said in a prepared statement, “we chose to adopt, and now, Tucker is more than a wonderful pet, he’s part of our family.” Potential pet owners are encouraged to visit shelters and rescues to adopt dogs, cats or other animals when they are considering a new four-legged family member. According to Iams, the U.S. has as many as 8 million orphaned pets, and as many as 4 million orphaned dogs and cats will be euthanized this year because of to shelter overcrowding. To learn more about helping an orphaned pet, participating shelters, volunteering or making a donation to support animal care organizations, visit .
Ugly present prize
Does your gift wrapping prompt jokes and giggles at parties and family gatherings? If so, you could be a contender for “The Worst Gift Wrapper” contest sponsored by Bowdabra, the makers of bows, ribbons and other gift-wrapping supplies. Entrants will receive complimentary “how-to” wrapping tips and examples to help turn their packages into professional-looking pieces of gift-giving art. And one contest winner will receive a free trip for two to Las Vegas. Log on to through Oct. 31 to enter.
Energy trendsetters
This is National Solar Tour Week, with events happening around Colorado. The Denver Tour of Solar Homes, hosted by the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, is Saturday. In addition to showcasing private residences with the latest in renewable-energy, energy-efficiency and green-building technologies, the Denver tour also includes a stop at the solar- powered Carriage House on the grounds of the Colorado Governor’s Mansion. The cost of the event is $20 per carload or $45 for a guided bus tour and lunch. Log on to cres-energy.org to register, or to find out more about upcoming solar-energy events in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. A complete list of all Solar Home Tours around the country can be found at .
