Britain’s most fun-loving news-paw-per is showing its warm and fuzzy side by launching the Star Paws Takeover, a joint editorial and marketing 7-week campaign to raise awareness and funds for national pet charity Blue Cross.
Blue Cross experienced a 515% increase in demand to rehome pets in May 2020 in relation to the same period last year and the charity is predicting a spike in abandoned animals due to Covid-19, the state of the economy and people’s personal finances.
With Daily Star readers twice as likely than the national average to own a pet the title is leaping into action with a 7-week in-paper and online campaign building on the success of the title’s regular Star Paws column edited by Catherine Wooding.
In addition to featuring Blue Cross pets that need rehoming and in-depth features of celebrities with their furry friends, Daily Star is asking its readers to suppawt the Star Paws takeover campaign.
A nationwide competition will run from 30 September turning 12 readers dogs into bone-a-fide 2021 calendar stars. A panel including readers will then decide the best 12 and the overall star pooch and family will win a dog-friendly holiday. The Star Paws calendar goes on sale on 29 October with all profits going to Blue Cross.
Celebrity figures supporting the Star Paws Takeover to date include; comedian and actor Bill Bailey, wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, actress Hayley Tamaddon and more.
As well as being able to enter the Star Paws Takeover calendar competition members of the public can donate directly to Blue Cross via bluecross.org.uk/dailystar.
Bill Bailey said: “I love my rescue animals, and of course end up taking endless photos of them. At this time when we are relying on our pets perhaps even more than ever, this is a great campaign, and I’m delighted to support a wonderful organisation like the Blue Cross.”
Ryan Neile, head of behaviour at Blue Cross added: “Sharing our lives with animals is a wonderful reward, but we have a responsibility for their well-being so it is the least we can do to research and prepare and keep them happy and healthy. We are very grateful to The Star for raising awareness, helping raise money for Blue Cross and for celebrating the pets we all love.”
