Author: Emily Wallace

When looking to adopt a pet, what most likely comes to mind is adopting from an animal shelter or rescue. Adopting directly from a pet owner who needs to find a new home for their pet can be just as rewarding though.  Through our platform Rehome, current pet owners who can no longer keep their dog or cat can create a profile and share photos and information about their pet. These pets appear in the search results on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see. That’s how Rita found her new Husky Delilah.

“We had lost our Husky about a month ago after a long illness.  After having her for 11 years, we really wanted another Husky,” Rita said, referencing the New Pet Alert feature which allows pet seekers to receive emails when they have a new match from their save search.

After searching for the right new dog with no luck, Rita stumbled upon Delilah’s profile rather serendipitously.

“I was out for my morning walk and talking to myself and my lost girl.  I asked her to help us find a new puppy. When I got back from my walk, Delilah’s photo was in my email from Adopt-a-Pet.com”

Within 30 minutes, Rita scheduled a phone call with Delilah’s current owner and planned a meet-and-greet for later that same day. The rest was history. “When we met her, that was it. We loved her. The original owner was very nice to work with and wanted a good home for the puppy.” 

In just a few days, Rita was Delilah’s official new owner. She signed the adoption contract, paid the adoption fee (which is used to help even more pets get adopted rather than a profit for the original owner or Adopt-a-Pet.com), and had vet records transferred to her all through Rehome. “The adoption process/platform was easy to use and I appreciated the process,” she said.

Since the adoption, Delilah and Rita enjoy lots of outdoor time together. “We walk our new girl 5 miles a day around a golf course and she meets lots of other dogs and people,” Rita said. “She gets to chase bunnies and squirrels until she uses up all that Husky energy.”

Rita also keeps in touch with Delilah’s previous owner and sends her pictures and updates weekly.

Do you need to find a new home for your cat or dog? Join Delilah’s previous owner and the thousands of other pet owners who have successfully found new homes for their pets by using Rehome. Get started here or by clicking the image below.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.

PROMOTION DESCRIPTION:  The Adopt-a-Pet.com Borks & Boops photo contest (the “Contest”) begins on or about July 23, 2019, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31st, 2019 (the “Contest Period”). To enter the Contest, upload a video or photo of your pet being quirky, silly, funny, weird, etc. on our Google Form (each video/photo, a “Submission”).  As the contest goes on, Adopt-a-Pet.com will periodically pick winners selected from all eligible Submissions received during the Contest Period, as more fully set forth below to be feature on our social media channels and/or Adopt-a-Pet.com. By participating in the Contest, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Humane America Animal Foundation, d/b/a Adopt-a-Pet.com, 310 N. Indian Hill Blvd., #800, Claremont‎, CA ‎ 91711, (“Sponsor”), which shall be final and binding in all respects.

ELIGIBILITY:  The Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.  

HOW TO ENTER:  During the Contest Period, upload submissions to our Google Form (https://forms.gle/WLZ2fvcmsEgG71i1A) Each Submission that is entered into the Contest must be the submitting entrant’s original work and not feature any material owned or controlled by third parties (including without limitation, third party copyrighted material).  Submissions must be received by the end of the Contest Period. Any personal information collected by Sponsor in connection with the Contest will be used in accordance with its online privacy policy, located at http://www.adoptapet.com/public/privacy_policy. Proof of submission is not considered proof of delivery to or receipt of such entry.  Sponsor shall have no liability for any Submission that is lost, intercepted or not received by the Sponsor.

WINNER SELECTION: Sponsor (in its sole discretion) will select the winners from all eligible Submissions received during the Contest Period.  The winners will be notified through email. Sponsor shall have no liability for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted or not received by the potential winner for any reason.  If any potential winner does not respond within the time required by Sponsor, or if the winner notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to any potential winner, such potential winner will forfeit his or her prize and an alternate winner may be selected.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES/INDEMNIFICATION:  Each person who enters this Contest (and his or her parent or legal guardian, if the entrant is under the age of majority in his or her state/province of residence [a “minor”]) represents and warrants as follows: (i) the Submission is the entrant’s own original, previously unpublished, and previously unproduced work; (ii) the Submission does not and will not violate or infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of any other person or entity; and (iii) the Submission does not and will not violate any applicable laws, and is not and will not be defamatory or libelous.  Each entrant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Promotion Entities harmless from and against any and all third party claims, actions or proceedings of any kind and from any and all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses relating to or arising out of any breach or alleged breach of any of the warranties, representations or agreements of entrant hereunder.

PUBLICITY RELEASE:  By participating in the Contest, in addition to any other grants which may be granted in any other agreement entered into between Sponsor and any entrant in or winner of the Contest, each entrant irrevocably grants the Promotion Entities and their respective successors, assigns and licensees, the right to use such entrant’s name, likeness, biographical information and Submission, and any individual(s) participating therein, in any and all media for any purpose, including without limitation, advertising and promotional purposes as well as in, on or in connection with the Website or the Contest or other promotions, and hereby release the Promotion Entities from any liability with respect thereto.

PRIZES The winners will be featured on the Sponsors social media channels and/or website. 

GENERAL PRIZE CONDITIONS:  No cash alternative or prize substitutions will be allowed, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize(s) or opportunities or comparable out-of-pocket cost value if any prize or opportunity listed is unavailable, in whole or in part, for any reason.  The Prize winners shall be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes, and the reporting consequences thereof, and for any other fees or costs associated with the Prize.

GENERAL LIABILITY RELEASE/FORCE MAJEURE: Entrants agree that the Promotion Entities (a) shall not be responsible or liable for any losses, damages or injuries of any kind (including death) resulting from participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity, or from entrants’ acceptance, receipt, possession and/or use or misuse of the prize(s), and (b) have not made any warranty, representation or guarantee express or implied, in fact or in law, with respect to the prize(s), including, without limitation, to such prize’s quality or fitness for a particular purpose. Entrants will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Promotion Entities from and against all third party claims arising out of or relating to Entrant’s Submission. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any damage to an entrant’s computer system which is occasioned by accessing the Website or participating in the Contest.  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who is found to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or the Website and/or the Entry Site, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules, or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest, or to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person, and Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. These Official Rules cannot be modified or amended in any way except in a written document issued in accordance with the law by a duly authorized representative of Sponsor. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.

DATES & DEADLINES/ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS:  Because of the unique nature and scope of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Official Rules or otherwise governing the Contest.  Sponsor cannot accurately predict the number of entrants who will participate in the Contest.

GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION:  ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OF CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER STATE’S LAWS.

WINNERS LIST/OFFICIAL RULES:  To obtain a copy of any legally-required winners list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to 310 N. Indian Hill Blvd., #800, Claremont‎, CA ‎ 91711.  All such requests must be received within six (6) weeks following the end of the Contest Period. These Official Rules will be posted on the Website.

 

 

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2019 — Wag!, the on-demand dog walking and sitting app, has teamed up with Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption platform, to help more shelter dogs find their forever homes. This new partnership will share the benefits of pet adoption with more pet parents and potential pet parents, as well as educate families about resources, like Wag!, that take away barriers to pet adoption and allow more people to experience the joy of having a dog.

 

Wag! will provide Adopt-a-Pet.com users easy access to vetted, local pet care providers for a variety of services, including walking, sitting, boarding, and daycare, to help keep newly adopted furry family members healthy and happy in their forever homes. Members of the Wag! community will also be able to search Adopt-a-Pet.com’s database of adoptable pets from more than 18,000 animal shelters and rescues nationwide.

 

“My two rescues opened my eyes to the importance of pet adoption,” said Olivia Munn, actress and Wag! creative strategist. “I love how this collaboration will give increased visibility to amazing, adoptable dogs across the country. Anyone who’s thinking of adding a dog or cat to their family should consider a rescue — they have so much to give.”

 

“We see a natural relationship between our two organizations,” said Wag! CEO, Hilary Schneider. “Our purpose is creating joy for dogs and those who love them. Adopt-a-Pet.com is focused on getting millions of homeless pets across the country into their forever homes. By working together, we’ll not only reach more people looking to adopt a new pet but also help make having a dog easier and more convenient for the adopting family.”

 

“We know that one of the biggest barriers to pet adoption for so many great, would-be pet owners is juggling a busy schedule while still providing the best in care for a new pet. Access to on-demand services like the ones provided by Wag! can help pet parents rest easy that their pets are receiving one-on-one attention and care, so a busy schedule doesn’t have to prevent a good family from adopting a great pet,” says David Meyer, Adopt-a-Pet.com CEO and co-founder.

 

For more information on dog care and to learn more about Wag!, visit www.wagwalking.com. For more information on pet adoption or to find your new best friend, visit www.adoptapet.com.

 

About Wag!
Wag! created on-demand dog walking in 2015 and is now available in 43 states and 110 cities. The mobile app gives pet parents more flexibility to manage everyday life and instant access to experienced and trustworthy dog walkers, boarding hosts, and sitters in their communities. Wag! services are insured and bonded, and every pet care provider has passed a thorough vetting process before being approved to work on the platform. Wag! donates a portion of walk proceeds to GreaterGood.org’s Rescue Bank and through this program has provided more than 8 million meals to shelter dogs in the United States.

 

About Adopt-a-Pet.com
Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 18,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their purebred and mixed breed pets for free to millions of adopters each month. Sponsored by companies including Purina, the Petco Foundation, and Bayer Animal Health LLC, Adopt-a-Pet.com helps homeless dogs, cats, and even rabbits and other animals go from alone to adopted.

 

It is very common to see posts on classified sites such as Craigslist and Nextdoor with headlines such as “free dog” or “free kitten.” What many people are unaware of though is that posting pets as “free to a good home” on these sites can be very dangerous. When a pet is posted as free on a site that doesn’t provide any tools or guidance on selecting the right new family, it’s easy for that vulnerable animal to wind up in the wrong hands.

Since we launched our program Rehome, it has been our mission to help keep pets off of these community websites and help facilitate safe rehoming of pets. Want to help us with our mission? It’s easy! Post a message like the one below to your local Nextdoor or to social media:

Be a hero for animals! If you or someone you know needs help finding a new home for your cat or dog, consider using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. It’s a safe, reliable, and free option to find a perfect new family for your cat or dog. You can post your pet for free for millions of potential adopters to see. Check out Rehome here: http://bit.ly/Rehomepetnow

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If you see a post on your local Craigslist, Nextdoor, or on social media, you can also use messaging like this to send a direct message to let that person know about Rehome:

Hi there, I noticed you need to find a new home for your pet – I am so sorry to hear that! Just wanted to reach out to let you know about Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. You can post your pet here for free and she/he will appear on Adopt-a-Pet.com searches for millions of potential adopters to see. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/RehomepetAAP

Best of luck!

These messages are just suggested wording – feel free to get creative and come up with your own as well! Thank you so much for helping to keep “free dog” and “free kitten” posts off of classified sites and giving pets the chance to be rehomed in a safer way by sharing Rehome!

P.S., The sweet pups in the photo above are available for adoption through Rehome! View them here!

If you are one of the amazing people who has opened your homes and hearts to care for a stray dog or cat until they find a permanent home, we understand that a main priority is to get that pet in front of as many eyeballs as possible. The more people who see the pet, the more likely one of those people will want to adopt her or him, right? Well if you are caring for a pet that is not fostered through a shelter or rescue, you can create a Rehome profile and millions of potential adopters will be able to view them! Rehome isn’t just for families that currently own a pet and can no longer care for them. It is also for people who are fostering or are caring for a stray or abandoned dog or cat and want to help them find a safe and happy home.

If the pet you are temporarily caring for was found, there are a few steps you may want to take before posting to Rehome:

1. Make sure the dog or cat has seen a vet. A vet will be able to check for a microchip and ensure the animal is healthy. This information will be important for potential adopters to know when they are considering bringing the pet into their home.
2. Even if the pet does not have a microchip, you will want to make sure she or he does not have a family. Posting signs in your neighborhood is a great way to advertise that you found a pet in case the family is looking for them. For tips on how to find a lost pet’s family, check out our Lost and Found Pet Guide.
3. If no owner has been located after taking these precautionary steps, it is safe to post on Rehome to help find the animal a family.

Creating a Rehome profile is easy, fast, and free. Follow these steps and your pet will be posted in no time:

1. Start on the Rehome homepage and click Get Started
2. Fill out some basic questions about the cat or dog you’re posting, including whether they were found, abandoned, or fostered.
3. You will then fill out key facts about the cat or dog such as if they are good with other pets, are microchipped, and if they have special needs.
4. Now comes the fun part! Upload some of the fun, cute, quirky pictures of your temporary pet to really show off their personality. Pro tip: profiles with videos tend to get more views! Add a video or two to make their profile really stand out.
5. It’s time to use your creative writing skills next. You’ll be asked to share the story of the cat or dog you want to rehome. The more unique and detailed the description, the better! When people are thinking about adopting a pet, they want to be able to picture exactly what it would be like to live with that pet. Are they snuggly? Do they snore when they sleep? Do they have any special talents? What are their likes and dislikes? You get the idea!

Check out these great examples of Rehome pet profiles!

Once you’ve entered all of these details, you’re ready to post! Our Rehome team will review the profile you created and once approved, will make it live on our website. The cat or dog you are caring for will then be searchable on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

Applications will soon start to roll in and it will be time to choose a new home for the cat or dog. Need help deciding who is the best fit or setting up a safe in-person meeting? Our Rehome team has tips and tricks to share with you to make these processes easier! Plus, as soon as your choose the perfect new home for the cat or dog, we will help you finalize the contract and share vet records with their new family!

If you are temporarily caring for a fostered or found dog or cat, consider creating a profile on Rehome and make the process of finding a forever family simple!

Check out the 2021 grant program here!

Summer is just around the corner and we want to kick off those “dog days” the right way. It’s Pet Appreciation Week and we are excited to announce the second round of the Seresto® Circle of Love grant program! We’ve already awarded more than $60,000 in Seresto® product grants and we still have more to give. Stay tuned for your next chance to help choose the recipients and check out our round one winners here.

 

In honor of National Love Your Pet Day (which let’s be real, is every day!) we are happy to announce our Seresto® Circle of Love grant program in collaboration with Bayer! This year, we will award a total of $100,000 in Seresto product grants to help shelters and rescues in order to help them care for dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. One lucky organization will receive a product grant worth over $17,000 – that’s a lot of Seresto! To us, loving your pet includes helping protect them from fleas and ticks so they can be as happy and healthy as possible.

All pet lovers can get in on the action this year by helping us pick some of our winners! In April, we’ll share two organizations that will go head-to-head on social media for our grand prize social grant! Stay tuned for their stories and links for where to vote!

These product grants truly make a huge difference in the lives of rescue pets. See what some of our 2018 recipients have to say about what the grants meant to their organization:

“Seresto collars are perfect for our active dirt road doggies! They help prevent fleas and ticks on our dogs and remove the monthly maintenance worry during the busy summer months.” – Dirt Road Doggies

“This product grant will help offset the cost of caring for the animals that come through our door. Many of the animals that are brought to us, especially those from cruelty cases, do not have basic care such as flea and tick control. This grant will help keep the animals in our shelter healthy while they are with us.” – Lollypop Farm

Check out what past grant recipients have to say about how their grant benefited their organization!

Even if you can’t adopt a dog or cat of your own, you can still help! This year, we want your help to pick some of our winners! In April, we’ll share two organizations that will go head-to-head on social media for our grand prize social grant! Stay tuned for their stories and links for where to vote!

If you work for a rescue or shelter, please find our current grant program info here.

This weekend, Hallmark Channel will premiere the second annual American Rescue Dog Show! The show is a celebration of rescue pets and their uniqueness and includes fun categories such as “Best in Couch Potato,” “Best in Wiggle Butt,” “Best in Belly Rubs,” “Best in Snoring,” “Best in Senior Dog,” “Best in Talking,” “Best in Smiling,” “Best in Underbite,” and “Best in Short ’N Sweet.” Don’t miss the amazing show that airs 2/17 and 2/18 at 8/7c.

In association with the American Rescue Dog Show, Adopt-a-Pet.com is hosting an adoption marathon with shelters and rescues around the country! The 18 organizations participating will have the chance to win a $5,000 grant to support their adoption and rescue efforts! The organizations participating are (in alphabetical order):

A Wish for Animals in Dana Point, CA

Adopt A Saint in Lake Forest, CA

Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven, MI

Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation in Sherman Oaks, CA

Daphneyland Basset Rescue in Acton, CA

Dogs Without Borders in Encino, CA

Dobies and Little Paws Rescue in Fillmore, CA

Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue in Santa Margarita, CA

The Little Red Dog in Lake Forest, CA

Ozzie and Friends Rescue in Rowland Heights, CA

Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA in Pasadena, CA

Pets & People Humane Society in Yukon, OK

Smiling Dog Rescue in Benson, AZ

Valhalla Canine Rescue in Winlock, WA

Valley Animal Haven in Lemoore, CA

Wags and Walks in Los Angeles, CA

Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Long Beach, CA

 

The adoption marathon will be held from February 17-28, 2019. If you are interested in adopting from one of these organizations, now is a great time! Contact the organization you would like to adopt from to learn more about their hours and events. And don’t forget to tune in to the Hallmark Channel on 2/17 and 2/18 at 8/7c to watch the show!

 

We love our pets with all of our hearts, there’s no question about that! But when it comes to protecting their heart health, many owners are in the dark. Knowing how to keep your cat or dog’s heart healthy will help them live longer, happier lives! To learn more about cat and dog health, we sat down with Dr. Lauren Jones, VMD to chat about tips to prevent heart and heartworm Diseases.

1. Get Their Hearts Pumping for 60 minutes a day

You probably already know that exercise is crucial to your pet’s health, but how much exercise does a pet really need? While Dr. Jones cautions that the amount of exercise needed varies depending on breed, age, size, etc., she suggests that “two 30-minute spurts of exercise per day” is a good benchmark. Even in inclement weather, it’s important to get your pet exercised both mentally and physically. When the weather isn’t ideal, Dr. Jones says, “For dogs, throw a toy around the house. If you have a super wild dog, have them run up and down steps. There are also a lot of feeding and training toys that work their brains mentally.” When it comes to exercising cats, Dr. Jones suggests the good old-fashioned laser pointer! Exercise prevents obesity, which Dr. Jones states is one of the biggest triggers of leading to or exacerbating Heart Disease. Make exercising your pet a daily priority you’ll have not only a healthier cat or dog, but a less rowdy one, too

2.  Feed a balanced and complete diet

When choosing a food for your dog or cat, an important thing you can do is make sure the label mentions a complete and balanced diet. You also want your pet to have a healthy vitamin and mineral balance in their food to avoid any deficiencies. How do you know if a food is balanced and has the right vitamins and minerals though? Dr. Jones advises her patients to “Look for a statement on the bag that says ‘complete and balanced.’ If there is an AAFCO [Association of American Feed Control Officials, an association of local, state and federal agencies charged by law to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies.] statement on the bag, this means the food actually provides all the benefits it claims to provide.” If you don’t see this statement on the bag, it may be a supplemental food. A supplemental food is meant to be added to a balanced meal to provide additional nutrition. Many people are not aware of the difference and in turn wind up feeding their pets a food that lacks imperative nutrition. You can learn more about pet nutrition by checking out our Cat & Dog Nutrition Page!

3. Keep your pet’s chompers clean

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean does more than just prevent bad breath – it protects their hearts too! “There’s definitely an association between Endocarditis and Dental Disease. Extra plaque and extra tartar build up in the mouth and that backup can settle into the heart,” says Dr. Jones. To prevent any dental issues, it’s important to brush, brush, brush! It may take a little extra time and your pet may not love it, but it’s crucial to their health. Still not convinced? Check out these articles from PetCoach about why you should brush your dog’s and cat’s teeth!

If brushing daily is still way too much of a task, Dr. Jones says that “anything is better than nothing! You should brush at least a few times a week. Every 6-8 weeks at the groomer doesn’t do enough.” She also advises to maintain regular vet visits to asses dental health because every animal is different in how fast plaque and tartar build up.

4. Year round Heartworm protection

While Heart Disease is not always preventable, Heartworm Disease is. “The American Heartworm Society suggests pets get checked for Heartworm once a year and are on monthly medicine year round. It’s a lot easier to prevent and than to treat,” says Dr. Jones. While prevention can be done with one oral or topical treatment per month, the process of getting rid of Heartworm Disease is a lot more trying. Dr. Jones explained that medicine is given gradually so that the worms do not block the blood vessels in a pet’s heart. The approach is slow and requires repeat dosing, not to mention a large expense. Do your pet a favor and keep them treated all year round, especially if you live in a warmer climate.

5. Know what to be on the lookout for

They say knowledge is power, so make sure you are aware of the signs and symptoms of both Heart Disease and Heartworm Disease. For Heart Disease in dogs, “you may notice coughing. Exercise intolerance is another symptom. If your dog normally goes on 3-mile walks and now they’re huffing and puffing up the driveway, that’s a sign,” says Dr. Jones. She also warns to look out for a pot-bellied appearance, lethargy, and a decrease in appetite. For cats with Heart Disease, Dr. Jones cautions that they usually have no symptoms. Occasionally you’ll notice a cough or lethargy, but they generally don’t show any signs, which is why regular vet appointments are so important. For Heartworm Disease, which is much more common in dogs than in cats, you should also be on the lookout for coughing and lethargy, especially in younger dogs. If you are concerned that your pet may be showing signs of either disease, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Your pet’s heart health might not be something you think about every day, but with these 5 easy tips, you can incorporate small changes into your daily routine that prevent Heart Disease and Heartworm Disease. For further reading, check out PetCoach’s articles on Heartworm Disease and Heart Disease. Have any questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments and we’ll get back to you.