As the world’s fastest skateboarding Fido he’s hot dogged into the hearts of the nation, and now Tillman the Skateboarding Bulldog is hitting the road in search of other Spots with mad skills for the new Animal Planet series Who Let the Dogs Out.

Premiering February 18, 2012 the 10-part, half-hour long series will showcase Tillman and his four-pawed pals Rose, Sully, Wally and internet sensation Norman the Scooter Dog as they travel in a tricked out tour bus on a cross-country trek to meet America’s talented tail-waggers.

The latest canine casting calls for extreme sports-loving Spots is scheduled for February 11, 2012 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Petco at 10819 Zelzah Avenue in Granada Hills, California. Finalists will join Tillman and company for the show’s grand finale, where a national winner– who will join the Natural Balance team– will be declared.

There is also a philanthropic side to all the Fido-themed fun. Throughout his travels, Tillman is helping to feed shelter pets, shining a spotlight on adoption at Petco stores and raising funds for guide dog organizations.

Soon to become a Saturday morning staple in dog-loving households, Who Let the Dogs Out premieres February 18, 2012 at 10 a.m. ET/ 9 a.m. CT on Animal Planet.

For more information:

• visit www.wholetthedogsout.tv

Photo Credit: Animal Planet

Information on sponsoring Adoptable Dog of the Day: We’re now offering monthly sponsorships of this very popular weekday feature which is cross-promoted on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Information on Sponsoring Giveaways: If you’d like your product to be featured in a giveaway on DogTipper or CatTipper, please check out our revised Giveaways page.

Information on Sponsorships, Pet Pro Profiles, News and Social Media Promotion: Check out our revised advertising page for all these options or email us to discuss your sponsorship and advertising needs.

On February 11, 2012 Kristy Lee Cook (a season seven finalist on the FOX series) and Aaron Kelly (from season nine) will mingle with guests and belt out tunes at a benefit for the organization, which creates therapy dog programs for health care facilities.

While songs performed by the stars will stir souls, stories told by therapy dog teams will tug at attendees’ heartstrings during the two-hour event.

Dubbed Idols and Angels, the fourth annual Angel on a Leash benefit will take place February 11, 2012 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the Affinia Manhattan Hotel Ballroom in New York City.

For more information:

• visit www.angelonaleash.com

Photo Credit: Amazon

As you know, we’re always looking for ways to help our readers donate to help animals, especially ways that won’t cost readers any extra money. We’ve just learned about an exciting new partnership between Walkers Shortbread, the world famous shortbread bakery based in the Scottish Highlands, and ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Walkers has created a super cute new shortbread cookie (for humans) in the shape of a Scottish Terrier! These cookies make a cute gift for a fellow dog lover and, best of all, for every sale of these Scottie dog cookies, 10 cents will go to the ASPCA and their animal initiatives across the country, with a minimum promised donation of $25,000.

Walkers has been making their famous cookies for 110 years, and it’s still a family-run businesses, now headed by the founder’s grandchildren who still use the original recipes using only natural ingredients. In 2002 Walkers were granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment as suppliers of oatcakes to Her Majesty the Queen. For over 15 years, the company has produced a range of organic biscuits for Duchy Originals Limited, the company founded by HRH Prince of Wales in 1990 because of his belief in the clear advantages of organic farming. All Walkers shortbread, biscuits and oatcakes are free from artificial colors, flavors and additives; they are certified Kosher (OUD) and are suitable for vegetarians.

Raising funds for Seven Star Sanctuary and Rescue– an organization in St. Joseph, Michigan which has rescued countless canines and cats who have been abused, neglected or facing their final days at high kill shelters — former star of the CW series High Society /Editor-in-Chief of Social Life magazine Devorah Rose invites friends of Fidos and felines to an evening of entertainment for an 18 and over crowd at Lucky Strike Lanes in New York City.

Dubbed an Anti-Valentine’s Massacre, attendees who are tired of the usual roses and chocolate routine can enjoy a provocative party complete with a Priscilla Lane Lingerie Show, kissing booths, psychic readings from medium Jesse Bravo, music provided by DJ Jamieson Hall, Perrier-Joet champagne and a line-up of luminaries including former star of The Bachelor/Royal Pet Club founder Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Karen Biehl from the series Doggie Moms, celebrity magician Matt Wayne, Bradley Soileau, who co-starred in Lana Del Ray’s music video “Born to Die,” and more!

Tickets: $40

When: February 14, 2012 from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m..

Where: Lucky Strike Lanes at 660 West 42nd Street in New York City

For more information:

• visit http://antivalentinesmassacre.eventbrite.com

Photo courtesy Matt Wayne

March 2012 will mark the start of donations from Royal Pet Club to the paws cause, with $2 from every new Royal Pet Club customer and 5 percent of profits from  Royal Treatment pet care products (such as natural dog shampoos, conditioners and other pet grooming supplies with organic ingredients) supporting a spay/neuter program through Animal Aid’s veterinary partners throughout the country.

Speaking out about the plight of pet overpopulation, Lorenzo Borgese stated: “If people would spay and neuter their pets, this country would be a no-kill country and there would be no need to euthanize a dog because of over population. To euthanize man’s best friend in order to control the population is simply barbaric and must be stopped.”

Pre-approved veterinarians throughout the United States will be offering this service at reduced rates to Animal Aid and as a result, dog owners who financially can’t afford to spay and neuter their dog, will be able to do so for free. Royal Pet Club will transfer funds directly to Animal Aid and Animal Aid will then allocate these funds to the approved veterinarians. Animal Aid’s logo will also begin appearing on all Royal Treatment grooming products as a way to bring awareness to the importance of spay and neuter programs throughout the United States.

A true prince in every sense of the word, in the past Prince Lorenzo Borghese has helped to shed light on the link between pet stores and puppy mills through an undercover investigation; raise funds at the Bideawee Ball; cheered for the courageous canines at the American Humane Association’s first annual Hero Dog Awards and helped orphaned Fidos and felines find forever homes as the host of Celebrity Catwalk’s 2011 holiday adoption event.

For more information about Royal Pet Club, view the company’s welcome video below, then:

• visit www.royalpetclub.com

Photo courtesy PRWeb

We learned on Facebook that the donation from Big O Tires will be used for the rescue’s Clyde Fund, a special needs dog fund that helps injured animals and animals with special needs. Just one example is Cinch, this beautiful dog that was rescued on the day he was to be euthanized because he needs expensive ACL surgery. Thanks to the Clyde Fund, Cinch will be able to get the help he needs before he finds his forever home.

Like other items in the Social Donations column, this donation is free, taking only a moment of your time to pop over to Facebook and like Big O Tires Cheyenne!

Photo courtesy Black Dog Animal Rescue

Raise your glass to the makers of Bud Light, who used their time in the Super Bowl spotlight to shine a light on rescue animals.

As Weego– a former real life rescue Rover– fetches brews for his buddies in the 60-second spot, he is also helping to fetch funds for the Fidos and felines at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). For each “like” that Weego receives on Bud Light’s Facebook page the beer manufacturer will donate $1 (up to $250,000) to the sports star’s organization, which has been saving the lives of pets in peril since 1991.

For more information:

• visit www.facebook.com/budlight

Photo Credit: Bud Light

Fans of Fidos and famous faces cheered for doggie doubles of chart toppers like Adele, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and more as former Dancing with the Stars winner Drew Lachey decided which rockin’ Rover would waltz away victorious.

A presentation for a paws cause, not only did the top three canine contenders receive a year’s worth of free veterinary care through the Optimum Wellness Plan, Banfield Pet Hospital also donated 20 percent of its opening weekend revenue to the SPCALA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles).

For more information regarding Banfield Pet Hospitals:

• visit www.banfield.com

Stepping into a pin-striped suit, a precocious Pomeranian named Mason nabbed the number one spot in the eyes of celebrity judge Drew Lachey, who chose the tiny tail-wagger as the winner for mimicking Bruno Mars’s smooth style.

A Maltese named Noodles was a mirror image of hip hop star Nicki Minaj:

A canine “California Gurl,” Dolce donned duds to make her look like Katy Perry:

A participating pup had a song in his heart as he lapped up the limelight at the competition:

Photo Credit: Rene Macura/AP Images for Banfield Pet Hospital

(Feb. 6, 2012) WASHINGTON― The Humane Society of the United States announced the newly formed Breeders Advisory and Resource Council which is composed of responsible dog breeders from across the country. Council members will advise HSUS on dog health and welfare issues, and talk to the general public about what constitutes proper breeding practices, promoting the health of the parents and the puppies.

In a first step, the Council and The HSUS posted new web resources for consumers and a “How to Identify a Responsible Breeder Checklist.” The primary aim of The HSUS is to promote pet adoption from shelters and rescue groups, and encourage consumers who choose to purchase a puppy to buy from a responsible breeder instead of inhumane, commercial breeding facilities known as puppy mills.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS says, “For too long, large-scale commercial puppy mills have given all dog breeders a bad name. We commend the responsible breeders who are showing leadership in their community and speaking out against the abusive operations that treat dogs not like loving family members, but like a cash crop. Everyone who cares about the health and welfare of dogs must be part of the solution, and we are excited about this new partnership.”

“We want to protect our right to be responsible breeders and to enjoy and bond with our dogs in show and performance events, but if we think for one minute that ignoring the problem of cruelty to animals makes us responsible breeders and protects our rights, I believe we’re wrong,” says Council member and AKC Breeder of Merit, Kathryn McGriff, based in city/state?. “We can no longer sweep puppy mills under the rug.”

Helping consumers understand the hows and whys of responsible breeding is essential to ending the cruelty inflicted on dogs by  puppy mill operators, including those who sell on the Internet.

For more information visit humanesociety.org/breeders.

-30-