Even as America approaches what (hopefully) will be the final stage of health care reform debate (for awhile at least, because all the twists and turns has probably given most Americans a collective headache), most Kossacks are longing for news from their government that they can truly look forward to.
Earlier today, your wish was officially answered, by of all agenecies, the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS began a big campaign for what will likely be its big stamp issue of 2010, the Animal Rescue Adopt a Shelter Pet Stamps that will be released on April 30.
While word of the planned issuance of the 10-design set (five featuring dogs, five featuring cats) had been known for months in the philatelic (stamp collecting) community, this issue was only elevated to the status of the year's BIG issue earlier today, when Postmaster General John Potter made the announcement on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. More after the fold.
The USPS will work with DeGeneres and Halo, Purely for Pets, a holistic pet care company co-owned by DeGeneres, to promote the campaign and to bring greater attention to the cause of adopting shelter animals. In creating this Stamps to the Rescue promotional campaign, the Postal Service has set up a special website (http://stampstotherescue.com/...), where you can see the stamps (each featuring a cat or dog that was adopted in the hometown of the photographer for the issue, New Milford, CT. You can also pre-order the stamps (if your local post office is notorious for not having new issues available on a timely basis... such as is too often the case at post offices here in Chicago), shop for a mug of your favorite dog or cat from the set, get coasters for your mug, even obtain artwork and books.
But perhaps the best thing about this site may be the link to learn more about pet adoption. This is a continuation of the Postal Service's ongoing series of stamp issues highlighting various social concerns. Previous stamp issues have included stamps honoring Sickle Cell Research, Jury Duty, Alzheimer's Awareness and Children's Health.
These stamps are supposed to be available at every post office on April 30. If they are not there, feel free to raise a beef with the local postmaster.