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3TV & Arizona Republic: Pets on Parade Turns 60!

Written by: Arizona Humane Society

News Highlights:

  • The Arizona Humane Society’s weekly TV show and Arizona’s longest-running television show, Pets on Parade, celebrated its 60th anniversary on Saturday, December 8 at on KTVK-3TV! The show debuted on December 8, 1958, just one year after AHS was founded.
  • For the last six decades, Pets on Parade has touched the lives of pet lovers in Arizona and has inspired community action by featuring adoptable pets, educating the community on animal welfare, providing resources for pet owners and advocating for the sick, injured and abused animals rescued by AHS.
  • Each week, approximately 20,000 viewers of all ages tune in and it is estimated that more than 31,000 dogs, cats and critters have found their forever homes thanks to the unique, in-kind exposure courtesy of 3TV.
  • The special anniversary episode revisited the last 60 years and featured a lineup of special guests while also honoring the late Marge Wright, the beloved host of Pets on Parade for more than 40 years. Wright passed away on August 26, 2014 at the age of 89, and it is estimated she provided more than 7,000 volunteer hours to the pets she adored so much.
  • The special celebration episode can be viewed on AHS’ Youtube channel, along with each weekly show.

The Arizona Republic

31,000 animals later, ‘Pets on Parade’ from Channel 3 turns 60

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic | December 5, 2018

PHOENIX – More than 31,000 pets later, “Pets on Parade” is turning 60.

The Arizona Humane Society’s weekly television show will celebrate the milestone on Saturday, Dec. 8 — 60 years to the day after it debuted on Dec. 8, 1958.

If you’ve never seen the show, which airs on Channel 3 (KTVK), you should — it’s one of those terrific throwbacks to earlier days of local TV, just goofy enough to make you smile and important enough to be worth your while. Host Kelsey Dickerson shows off adorable animals that are available for adoption. If you had to use one word to describe it, “sweet” would be a good one.

This kind of thing was once a staple of television, but they’re a little harder to find these days. It’s nice to know this one is still around.

“There seems to be such pride in being a part of something with such longevity and so unique to Arizona,” says Bretta Nelson, spokeswoman for the Arizona Humane Society. “After 60 years, 3,000 episodes and 31,000 pets showcased, there is not a show, especially in the animal welfare world, like ‘Pets on Parade’ and it is quite a testament to AHS’ longstanding partnership with 3TV who very generously donates the air time and behind-the-scenes personnel.”

Dickerson grew up watching the show and “never imagined I would be fortunate enough to host it one day. It truly is an honor to be a voice for the voiceless.”

3TV

December 10, 2018
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