Are you an animal lover? What about your child or grandchild? Most children do love animals. When I was little I wanted to own my own zoo and/or farm. Now that I’m grown up I sort of own my own mini-zoo (five cats, a dog and some fish). If it was possible I’d love to have my own farm and fill it with cows, chickens, horses, sheep and other critters.
Just because we have five cats and only one dog does not mean that I prefer cats over dogs. I love them equally.
Remember that Nickelodeon cartoon show CatDog? The main character was part dog, part cat. As both a dog and cat lover I can appreciate combining the best features of both species.
Imagine if you could take 2-3 of your favorite animals and combine them into the perfect friend?
What would you get if you combined a snake with a turtle and an alligator? You’d get a Snurtlegator!
Or how about something a little less sinister looking like a cross between a cow and a giraffe – a Mooraffe!
Even more amusing, how about an elephant, zebra and a ladybug? It’s a Zebugraphant! That’s a mouthful.
These are not drawings from a crazy dream. These are actual plush animals that you can buy. They are called Genetipetz.
Genetipetz is a new company based in Charlotte, NC that creates unique stuffed animals for creative kidz by combining the DNA structures of different animals. Founder and CEO, Christopher Meade was inspired by his children to develop Genetipetz and show children around the world the strength of diversity. Meade’s two children, Jackson and Cavan, serve as Vice Presidents of Design and Marketing of Genetipetz, respectively. For more information on the company, visit their website at www.Genetipetz.com, Like Genetipetz on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter @Genetipetz.
I think this is a fun idea. Now you (or your child/grandchild) can combine their favorite animals into a whole new “species”. What animal pairings can YOU think of? How about a horse and a butterfly (a Horsefly!), or a hippo and a kangaroo (Hipporoo!). The possibilities are literally endless when you think about it.
Each animal has an embedded chip that interacts with tablets and smart phones too! The special chip helps kids to connect with online educational content and games. It helps to enrich the whole Genetipetz experience. I think that is a really cool idea.
Kids have fabulous imaginations. I’m sure they can come up with hundreds of really cool combinations. Genetipetz wants to tap into their imagination with a special design contest they are running.
Genetipetz is hosting a design contest where kids can design their own Genetipetz and submit it to the company for consideration so that they can create the next line of super soft, huggable and loveable stuff animals.
“Through this new design contest, we encourage people to use their imaginations to help us create a new world of animal friends that probably couldn’t exist in the real world,” says founder Christopher Meade. “Since Genetipetz really exists because of our fans and for our fans, we are thrilled to involve them in the creative design process for our next line of toys.”
From now until September 30, 2013, drawings for new Genetipetz can be submitted for consideration.
You can also win prizes!
5 Grand Prize winners will receive the first production version of their suggested pet for FREE and be inducted into the Genetipetz Designers Hall of Fame. The new designs will join the other three Genetipetz animal friends currently in production. Winners will also see their toys featured at the 2014 Toy Fair in New York City.
10 runners up will receive 1 Genetipetz T-shirt with their own Genetipetz design on the back. They will also receive their Genetipetz Pal prototype stuffed animal.**see contest rules regarding special notes about prototype animals.
In addition up to 50 lucky designers will be selected from random drawing(s) of all valid contest entries to receive a Genetipetz T-Shirt with one of our current Genetipetz designs on the back.
This sounds like a really fun contest. I think the whole family could get involved in this.
Here is how to submit your design;
Draw a picture of a mixed up Genetipetz pal
Take a picture with your phone
Email it to designcontest@genetipetz.com
Children 13 and under will need their parent to help them register for the drawing.
For contest rules and more contest information visit www.MyGenetipetz.com/DesignContest.aspx.
Do you think you or your child/grandchild will enter? What fun animal combination can you think of? Feel free to comment and tell me more about it.
Kimberly