Since opening Scalawags in 2007 I have been bugging the local postal workers in Kennebunkport for "dog stamps". Every month or so new stamps are on display at the post office and usually feature a Hollywood star or flag or duck. Apparently, stamp collectors just can't get enough duck stamps.

Well all of my pestering has finally paid off.  The U.S. Postal Service has selected Animal Rescue as its 2010 "social awareness" stamp theme.  The new Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps feature photos of ten dogs and cats adopted through shelters.

The Postal Service has partnered with Halo, Purely for Pets and Ellen DeGeneres (co-owner) to get the word out about the new stamps. The launch of the new stamp collection coincides with Halo's campaign to donate 1 million meals to shelter pets through various consumer donation triggers. For example, if you fan Halo on Facebook, the company will donate one first-class meal to a shelter animal in need.

The Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps go on sale April 30th but you can pre-order them online now. Be sure to tell your friends about the new first-class stamps so they can help too and visit Halo's website for more information about pet adoption and to find out how you can donate meals.

Thank you USPS! We look forward to sending and receiving lots of mail with these cute characters in 2010!