Sproles helps kick off holiday adoption

-The Helen Woodward Animal Center kicked off its 11th annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive at Qualcomm stadium on Oct. 6.

More than 3,200 animal shelters and pet rescue organizations from around the world, including more than 20 in San Diego County, will participate in the drive.

“Home 4 the Holidays began in San Diego in 1999 when Helen Woodward Animal Center organized 14 animal shelters to work together during the holiday season,” spokesman John Van Zante said. “Our goals were to find families for orphaned pets, stop euthanasia and discourage people from supporting backyard breeders and puppy mills. Together these 14 shelters reported 2,563 adoptions.”

The drive has grown over the years and, since its inception, has accounted for more than 3.75 million adoptions around the world.

Chargers running back Darren Sproles attended the event for the second year, encouraging families to adopt their new pets.

For more information about Iams Home for the Holidays or to locate participating shelters or rescues, visit www.iamshome4the

holidays.com or call (800) 421-6456.