Pets now 20 percent of new TPR members

“Thurber” stands in his Irish garb with owner Christine Saalbach. “Thurber” stands in his Irish garb with owner Christine Saalbach. Photo: Tom Reel / S.A. Express-News Photo: Tom Reel / S.A. Express-News Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Pets now 20 percent of new TPR members 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

This year, Texas Public Radio's membership drive is going to the dogs — and cats, and even chickens, a horse and a sloth — with the addition of pet memberships.

So far, of the 743 new TPR memberships that have been sold, 137 of those — 18 percent — are pets. And the pet memberships are outselling the new children's memberships more than 4-to-1; 31 new kids' memberships have been purchased.

Chula, a 3-year-old quarter horse belonging to Uvalde resident and longtime member Bruce Kingsbery, now has a membership in her name.

“It appealed to me as something a little different,” he said. If pet memberships continue, Kingsbery said he'll buy one for Chula “until she objects.”

Longtime TPR members Brad Lundin and Jean O'Leary had paid in the names of different pets over the years, “before it became fashionable,” Lundin said.

New to their household are four chickens — Lulubell, Daisy, Gertrude and Hattie — who became pet members this year under their “rock band name,” Lulubell and the Nuggets.

“It was a laugh,” Lundin said. “We've done the dogs and cats, now it's time to do the chickens.”

Janet Grojean, TPR's director of development, had the idea for pets years ago when she was director of corporate relations.

“I mentioned this to the past development director, and she looked at me like I had three eyes,” Grojean said. “Now that I'm in that position, I thought, 'What do I have to lose? Let's give it a try.'”

Christine Saalbach, a McClain Circle member, bought a membership for her dog, Thurber.

“Last fall during the pledge membership drive I said, 'I'm going to give an additional $60, but you're going to announce Thurber's name on the air,'” Saalbach said. “When they announced it, several people called in and wanted their pets' names on air. This year, they finally opened the door to pets.”

Basic pet memberships cost $60, the same as humans. With that, the pet receives a gift of a “TPaRf” scarf and either a small bowl or rope toy.

Will all of these new pet members have an effect on programming?

“I say probably not,” Grojean said, laughing. “However, it does make me think that we ought to have a 'Views and Brews' community conversation on pet access in restaurants.”