(Norfolk, Va. – Aug. 16, 2010) -- On August 10th, online transport marketplace uShip teamed up with PETA to transport a very special group of animals – all victims of the BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Help on Wheels, uShip’s flagship vehicle that completes charitable deliveries free of charge throughout the year, set off on the “9 Lives Drive” with a haul of nearly 30 cats and two dogs. The pets were taken on a 1,100 mile journey from the Denham Springs Animal Shelter near Baton Rouge, La. to PETA headquarters in Norfolk, Va. to receive special care and an improved chance of finding new homes.
Animal shelters along the Gulf Coast have been overwhelmed with abandoned pets, many of them left by families that have been impacted by the oil spill. PETA and uShip’s goal was to relocate these 'special needs' pets to Virginia, where they would have a better chance of being adopted. The majority of these animals would have otherwise languished in cages for the rest of their lives.
“When we think of the catastrophe in the Gulf, we think of turtles and pelicans, not cats. But when families lose their incomes, they can resort to abandoning their animals,” said Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA. “We’re thankful that uShip so generously donated its transport services to give these cats a fighting chance to find care and new homes.”
“While the oil spill has stopped gushing, families, pets and wildlife will continue to feel the effects for years to come— so we were pleased to have the opportunity to help,” said Matt Chasen, CEO and founder of uShip. “We can now add cats to Help on Wheels’ list of diverse charitable delivery cargo, which has also included reality show props, farm equipment, prom dresses, back-to-school supplies and more.”
About uShip
uShip helps relieve the stress and high cost of moving hard-to-ship items, such as cars, furniture, pianos, boats, freight/haulage, heavy equipment, and more. As the first and largest online transport marketplace, uShip connects people and businesses with feedback-rated transporters. Carriers place competitive bids to win business, often filling extra space in their trucks and saving customers an average of 50 percent. The uShip marketplace has attracted $150 million in business transactions, one million listings and 170,000 service providers. Launched in 2004, uShip operates globally with localized functionality in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, European Union and Australia. For more information please visit www.uShip.com.
About PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.
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Animal shelters along the Gulf Coast have been overwhelmed with abandoned pets, many of them left by families that have been impacted by the oil spill. PETA and uShip’s goal was to relocate these 'special needs' pets to Virginia, where they would have a better chance of being adopted. The majority of these animals would have otherwise languished in cages for the rest of their lives.
“When we think of the catastrophe in the Gulf, we think of turtles and pelicans, not cats. But when families lose their incomes, they can resort to abandoning their animals,” said Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA. “We’re thankful that uShip so generously donated its transport services to give these cats a fighting chance to find care and new homes.”
“While the oil spill has stopped gushing, families, pets and wildlife will continue to feel the effects for years to come— so we were pleased to have the opportunity to help,” said Matt Chasen, CEO and founder of uShip. “We can now add cats to Help on Wheels’ list of diverse charitable delivery cargo, which has also included reality show props, farm equipment, prom dresses, back-to-school supplies and more.”
About uShip
uShip helps relieve the stress and high cost of moving hard-to-ship items, such as cars, furniture, pianos, boats, freight/haulage, heavy equipment, and more. As the first and largest online transport marketplace, uShip connects people and businesses with feedback-rated transporters. Carriers place competitive bids to win business, often filling extra space in their trucks and saving customers an average of 50 percent. The uShip marketplace has attracted $150 million in business transactions, one million listings and 170,000 service providers. Launched in 2004, uShip operates globally with localized functionality in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, European Union and Australia. For more information please visit www.uShip.com.
About PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.
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