Justin Bieber Promotes Pound Pups on New PETA Billboard

Pop Sensation Celebrates Grammy Nomination by Encouraging Fans  Always to Adopt From Animal Shelters: 'Animals Can Make U Smile'

For Immediate Release:
February 9, 2011

Contact:
Shakira Croce 757-622-7382

Los Angeles — Justin Bieber fans have a lot to celebrate—not only is the pop music phenom a Grammy nominee for Best New Artist and the star of the soon-to-be-released movie Never Say Never, he's also sticking up for homeless animals in a brand-new PETA billboard. In the ad, which was shot by renowned celebrity photographer Cliff Watts, Bieber encourages all "Beliebers" always to adopt from animal shelters—and never to purchase animals from pet stores or breeders. The billboard is set to go up in Los Angeles at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue just in time for the Grammys.

"It's really important that people adopt," says Bieber. "I really encourage going out to an animal shelter or a place where you can get a dog who has been abandoned or doesn't have a home."

Approximately 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters every year in the U.S., and roughly half of them must be euthanized simply because there aren't enough good homes. Buying an animal from a pet store or a breeder robs a homeless animal of his or her chance at finding a good home. The less fortunate never even make it to a safe haven; they are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they are often subjected to abuse by cruel people or succumb to starvation, disease, or injuries.

For more information and to view the billboard, please visit PETA.org or click here.