The United States Postal Service has a long tradition of highlighting social issues with commemorative stamps. April 30, the USPS unveiled "The Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet" stamps.

The purpose of this stamp series is to bring awareness to the issue of shelter pet adoptions and to help publicize the effort, the USPS has collaborated with Halo: Purely for Pets and Ellen DeGeneres.
DeGeneres, a national talk show host and co-owner of Halo, often speaks on the issue of adopting local shelter pets.

"Together we can encourage pet adoption and help to bring an end to the tragedy of adoptable, unwanted, homeless and abandoned pet being euthanized each year," stated a USPS press release.

On the day the stamps were unveiled, the Barnwell post office officials invited the Barnwell County Animal Shelter to bring dogs to the post office to join the cause.

Tammay Bolen, the shelter manager along with volunteers, brought three dogs from the shelter to spend a little time at the post office.

Faith, Annie and GiAnna pleaded their cases with playful antics, wagging tails and pleading eyes to all those who stopped to see the shelter dogs who are available for adoption.

All three dogs are in foster care now.

The sheet of stamps features five dogs and five cats all successfully adopted from the New Milford, Conn. Animal Welfare Society. Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the pets Memorial Day weekend 2006.

The sheet of stamps contains 20 stamps and can be purchased for $8.80.

More details and other items for purchase can be found at www.stampstotherescue.com.

The Barnwell County Animal Shelter always needs donations for the animals they serve.

Currently the shelter is in need of bleach, dishwashing liquid, pet toys and volunteers, said Bolen.

On May 22, the shelter will host a yard sale at the Pick of the Litter shop next to McDonalds. The sale will be held inside the shop, Bolen said.

She said the shelter is currently accepting donations of items for the yard sale as well.