October 1st

By Mutt Mulligan

TurfMutt sponsors new TV show, “Ready, Set, Pet”

TurfMutt has exciting news! The rescue dog will continue to inspire people to give a home to a rescue pet and steward family yards and community green spaces on a new TV show called Ready, Set, Pet. The show will air on Saturday mornings starting this month on the CW Network.

Hosted by Phil Torres and co-produced by Hearst Originals, Ready, Set, Pet will educate and inform teens and their families about pet adoption, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of a green space for pets. In each episode, Phil will guide a family through the pet adoption process by taking a careful look at their unique situation to help them make an informed decision about the right pet for their lifestyle.

While the family visits local shelters and rescues, experts will revitalize their outdoor space to make a safe and eco-friendly home for their new pet. In the end, viewers will see family members overcome their disagreements and make the tough decision on which pet will join the family. Ready, Set, Pet will teach viewers that thoughtful preparation is key when learning to care for an animal’s needs.

TurfMutt tips on the importance of our yards and managed landscapes to families, pets and the environment will be included in each episode. Kris Kiser, President of OPEI and TurfMutt’s human, will appear on select episodes working with professional landscapers to implement the TurfMutt tips.

“With the growing recognition of the importance of getting kids outdoors, TurfMutt is creating safe and healthy spaces for them, their families and our pets,” says Kiser. “Ready, Set Pet will help us inspire more people with our message: green space is vital to our health. Your yard is not only an outdoor family room but a living ecosystem that helps combat pollution, gives a home to wildlife including a wide range of inspects, birds and other pollinators, and makes us healthier and happier.”

Through the TurfMutt program, Lucky, the real-life rescue dog behind the TurfMutt cartoon character, is “pawing it forward” for other rescue dogs by championing the family yard and other green spaces.

Lucky and the TurfMutt program also are proud supporters of the many rescue and adoption organizations across the U.S. and urge everyone to consider finding their new best friend from a local animal shelter or adoption center. This October TurfMutt will sponsor a TurfMutt Adoption Event, “MUTT MADNESS,” in partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center during GIE+EXPO, the outdoor living and equipment exposition, the industry’s trade show.

The TurfMutt program has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families since 2009. TurfMutt is featured in the U.S. Green Building Council’s prestigious, global Learning Lab. TurfMutt is also an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat also is featured in the 2017 and the upcoming 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars.