Pet Rescue Groups Honored for Their Commitment to the Homeless Pet Crisis

(Savannah, GA) - May 10, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 10, 2006) – Whether it was working around the clock and risking personal safety during the days following Hurricane Katrina to save abandoned pets or driving more than 200 miles a day to rescue a dog or cat, America’s pet rescue workers go to extraordinary lengths to help save man’s best friends each and every day.

In celebration of National Pet Week, today Purina® Pro Plan® honored 10 passionate pet rescue workers and their four-legged friends in Washington, D.C.  The workers’ pet rescue organizations were recognized for their exceptional efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of homeless dogs and cats and their commitment towards the Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign in 2005, a program dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue nationwide.

Smaller pet rescue organizations place nearly a half a million dogs and cats in homes each year, and represent nearly 45 percent of all pet adoption groups.  However, they are often overlooked by potential donors and adopters due to their more limited fundraising and marketing capabilities.

The rescue workers traveled from across the country to Washington, D.C., where they accepted an award on their organization’s behalf, along with a special recognition from actress and pet lover Kristin Davis (“Sex and the City”, Disney’s “The Shaggy Dog.”).  Individuals honored included:

Alexandria Whitney, representing Guardians for Animals (Troy, Mich.)
Caroline Marie Ivey, representing Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas-Dallas (Dallas, Texas)
Chuck Daly, representing Delaware Valley Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc. (Horsham, Pa.)
Diane Roberts, representing Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue (Riverview, Fla.)
Gail Orth-Aikmus, representing Heartland Weimaraner Rescue (Pleasant Valley, Mo.)
Grace Acosta, representing Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue (Miami, Fla.)
Leann Zalasky, representing Rescued Racers (St. Ann, Mo.)
Lisa Scarbrough, representing Costal Pet Rescue (Savannah, Ga.)
Mary Linda Huggins, representing PAWS of Northeast Louisiana, Inc. (Monroe, La.)
Sarah Webster, representing Noah’s Ark Foundation, Inc. (Springfield, Va.)

“It was a pleasure to be here today to help celebrate the amazing work of these organizations,” said Kristin Davis.  “It’s the efforts from these smaller organizations that really make a difference in their communities.  The animals need these wonderful people and it is an honor for me to have met these extremely dedicated volunteers.”
In addition to the official recognition ceremony, the honored guests spent the afternoon briefing their local congressional members on their perspective of a day in the life of a rescue worker, including their unique success stories.  From establishing a literacy program that helps children by having them read to dogs to developing a special spay and neuter program for low income families, the rescue workers had plenty of real life examples to share.

“Each of the rescue worker’s organizations honored here today has done so much to help drive awareness for the cause and to help homeless dogs and cats find loving homes,” said Ken Wilhelm, director of Pro Plan Rally to Rescue.  “The Rally to Rescue Recognition Event not only allows us to thank them for their hard work, but brings to life the great efforts that are being done for pet rescue on a daily basis.  We look forward to the continued success of these individuals and their organizations in the coming years.”

The event also served as the official kick-off for the Pro Plan Rally Across America tour, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue nationwide.  The 11-market tour will travel across the country from May through October 2006. In each city, local pet rescue organizations will be on hand with adoptable pets and information about how to get involved in pet rescue.  Each stop features a fundraising initiative in the form of a virtual walk.  During the event, consumers are encouraged to log mileage on treadmills set up at each tour event in exchange for a donation to the participating local pet rescue groups.  Pro Plan will donate $5 for every five minutes walked by participants.  For a complete tour schedule or more information, log on to http://www.rallytorescue.org.

About Rally to Rescue
The Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign, which launched in April 2005, allows pets and owners to join forces and outfit themselves in matching rallying symbols for the cause.  Both dogs and cats can make a statement with purple, nylon adjustable collars that feature a reflective, silver stripe down the middle with the Rally to Rescue declaration.  Owners can then wear purple wristbands that look just like the pet collars but are sized for humans.

Pro Plan is working to identify up to 500 pet rescue organizations to be Ambassadors for the campaign.  The campaign supplies sets of the collars and wristbands to Rally to Rescue Ambassadors nationwide to distribute in support of their rescue efforts.  Each organization is encouraged to request a donation of $5 per set.  In addition to being sold by local organizations, the collar and wristband sets are also available online at http://www.rallytorescue.org for anyone to purchase.  Net proceeds from on-line sales and all proceeds from the sale of collars and wristbands by rescue organizations benefit participating organizations, with a campaign goal to raise more than $1 million.
To learn more about the Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign or to purchase a collar and wristband go to http://www.rallytorescue.org/info.

Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets.  A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world’s largest food company.  Rally to Rescue is not a 501(c)(3) organization.

Coastal Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, abused and neglected dogs and cats in Savannah and surrounding areas. Founded in February 2003, Coastal Pet Rescue changes the lives of homeless pets in Chatham, Bryan and Effingham Counties through its foster home program and small capacity shelter, Camp Pawsawhile Retreat.

###