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The bond between children and their first pet is unparalleled, which is why many parents consider bringing a pet home during the holidays. Yet, concerns about pet messes can prevent this heartfelt moment. According to the second annual Swiffer Cleaning Index, 93 percent of American parents feel that having a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences a child can have. Yet, 75 percent of parents who do not already have a pet agree that concerns over pet-related messes could prevent them from getting one1.
With 4 million dogs in need of homes2, Swiffer® and Bark & Co., the makers of BarkBox, are partnering this holiday season to provide shelters nationwide with 10,000 Welcome Home Kits to show how easy it is to get a thorough clean in minutes so more families and children can experience the love of a first pet. Swiffer will also provide a total of $50,000 to select shelters nationwide to support critical projects that will help more dogs find their fur-ever homes.
Actor, dad of three, and rescue pet parent of two, Scott Foley (Scandal, Felicity, and the true mastermind of the Woodsboro murders in Scream) is joining the effort to help spread the message that clean-up concerns should never get in the way of pet adoption and bringing home the love of a child’s first pet. Foley hosted a “Welcome Home” event in New York City today, announcing the effort. At the event, Foley shared his own experience of adoption, played with a bevy of NYC-based adoptable pups and gave out Welcome Home Kits to families who brought home their new best friends.
“I will always remember that incredible moment – and the joy in my kids’ eyes – when we adopted our dog, Frankie,” said Foley. “That’s why I want to make sure parents know that cleaning up after their pet can be easy and should never get in the way of fostering the bond between a child and their first pet. With Swiffer, a quick, thorough clean-up leaves more time to watch my kids experience the love and companionship of our dog!”
The Welcome Home Kit includes items from Swiffer’s suite of easy-to-use cleaning products, including a free Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit coupon and a Swiffer Duster, as well as Bark & Co. toys and treats. Valued at $50, the kit also includes a Welcome Home Guide featuring information from Bark & Co. on making the adoption transition an easy one, as well as tips from renowned child development and pet expert, Dr. Aubrey Fine, on the benefits of children having a pet. Download a free copy of the Welcome Home Guide here.
“While many parents want their children to experience the unconditional love that comes with having a pet, there are often concerns about bringing a new four-legger into the family – particularly in terms of clean-up,” said Dr. Fine. “For children, though, having a pet not only develops character through responsibilities like feeding and cleaning up after them, but also creates a home environment that’s rich with kindness and compassion.”
For more information, tips for welcoming home your new pet, and to learn more about the Swiffer family of products, visit Swiffer.com or facebook.com/Swiffer. To learn more about Bark & Co., visit facebook.com/barkbox. And to find a participating shelter near you, visit www.barkbox.com/swiffer. New pet owners are invited to share their own “Welcome Home” experience with @Swiffer and @BarkBox using #ShedHappens.
ABOUT SWIFFER®
In 1999, Swiffer made its debut and soon established itself as both a pioneer in the cleaning systems category and a pop culture icon. Swiffer products have starred on “Saturday Night Live,” have been featured in Hollywood blockbusters and have graced the cover of Rolling Stone. With the support of Swiffer fans around the world, Swiffer has built a family of distinctive products built smarter than traditional cleaning tools. Today, Swiffer® Sweeper, Swiffer® Sweeper X-Large, Swiffer® Sweep+Vac®, Swiffer® Sweep & Trap, Swiffer® WetJet®, Swiffer® Dusters®, Swiffer® 360° Dusters, Swiffer® Dusters Extender, Swiffer® Dust and Shine and Swiffer® Steamboost® are used in more than 50 million households worldwide and continue to revolutionize the way people clean.
