FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Mediacom Communications Corp. and The Haven have formed a partnership that could increase the odds of finding homes for adoptable dogs and cats rescued by the no-kill shelter.

“Be A Mediacom Pet Champion Presents The Haven Adoption Series” is a half-hour cable television program broadcast each Sunday through Saturday, at 6 p.m., on the Gulf Coast Network (Mediacom channel 27), and is also available on Mediacom On Demand (channel one, go to Mediacom “Local” tab and then select “Adoption Series”), all the time. The show is hosted by Matthew Boerst, Haven volunteer coordinator.

“We’re thrilled to do this,” said Barbara Bonowicz, Mediacom director of government relations, who also serves as executive producer. “We knew it’s been successful here (Santa Rosa County, Fla.) for a year, so we said ‘let’s give it a shot in Alabama.’”

The program shines a spotlight on many Haven animals each month, she said, adding, “It tells who they are, how long they’ve been there, their disposition, whether they’re good with children. We also include pet tips and try to showcase things that are important such as what to do with a pet in advance of a hurricane. It’s an education tool for dogs and cats.”

The Haven places homeless animals taken to their facility by the public, and also transfers animals from four other Baldwin County shelters. Bonowicz said that in 2007, 70 percent of the cats and dogs accepted into the Haven’s adoption and foster programs were transferred from the neighboring open admission shelters.

There’s certainly a high cuteness factor that drives the program. She said, “They’re doing their own thing, and every single one of these animals are precious.”

“It’s a huge blessing — a huge opportunity for the Haven,” said Michael Graham, executive director of the rescue group. “We’re grateful to Mediacom. It’s already allowed us to transfer more of the animals from shelters that euthanize. We have gone above our monthly adoption goals ever since the show aired. We are very proud of the show, and will be ‘furever’ grateful to Mediacom for this opportunity.”

Graham noted that folks living outside Baldwin County, but served by Mediacom, may also tune in to the show, and if they cannot travel here, they might be inspired to visit a shelter in their hometown and adopt a new friend.

The first program aired in July, and the second is airing now. The September broadcast will be taped next week.

Graham said since the initial program was broadcast, Haven Web site traffic has gone up. In the months leading up to the first Mediacom program, the site received 30-40 hits a day. Now the number has ballooned to more than 100. He said www.havenforanimals.org is user-friendly, and has much information about pet care, spaying and neutering, along with a list of adoptable animals.

“We wanted to create a one-stop shop for someone who surfs the net,” Graham said, and the program has boosted that effort.

On Media producer Princess Miller of Mobile is responsible for actual program production. On Media is Mediacom’s production arm.

Bonowicz said, “We knew the Haven would be perfect for a program because they take in everybody. We’re in partnership with them to increase adoptions. Although we’re a media company, we consider ourselves a member of the community. Our goal is not to make money with the program, but to find homes for these animals. I’m a real animal lover, so this is an easy job for me.”

Graham said, “It takes a community to solve these problems. and we’re making progress this year. We hope to do a lot more in 2009.”

David Servies, Mediacom vice president, added in a statement, “This is truly a wonderful way of helping those that do not have a voice. The real champions are the pets who allow us in their world.”

Mediacom Communications is the nation's eighth largest cable television company and one of the leading cable operators focused on serving the smaller cities and towns in the United States. In addition to traditional cable television programming, the company offers a wide array of broadband products and services, including digital television, video-on-demand, digital video recorders, high-definition television, high-speed Internet access and phone service.