ASPCA Gets Ready to 'Go Orange for Animals'

NEW YORK, March 2, 2009 — This April, the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) will once again commemorate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month - an extremely important month for animals. From its beginnings three years ago as a small grassroots adoption event in New York City, the ASPCA's April celebrations have mushroomed into a nationwide celebration of the human-animal bond and the organization's victories on behalf of animals.

"We are encouraging everyone, young and old, to 'Go Orange for Animals' and support the ASPCA during the month of April," said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. "Whether you hold a bake sale, a benefit concert, or take time to volunteer at your local animal shelter, your contribution will make a difference."

The ASPCA will officially kick off the month on April 7 when iconic buildings and landmarks across the country such as the Empire State Building, Sears Tower and Niagara Falls will support the ASPCA's life-saving work as they light up in its signature color and "Go Orange for Animals."

And on the heels — or shall we say paws — of the April 7 lightings, the ASPCA will continue its month-long 'Going Orange for Animals' celebration with three rain-or-shine events:

* Tuesday, April 7 in New York City — there will be an all-out celebration in the Big Apple from 4-8 p.m. (Eastern) in New York City's Union Square Park. The event will feature adoptable animals, live music, and refreshments. Humane Law Enforcement Officers from Animal Planet's Animal Precinct will be on-hand, as well as ASPCA Behaviorists, Animal Poison Control Experts and a variety of pet-friendly festivities that will appeal to pet-lovers of all ages.
* Saturday, April 18 in Austin, Texas — Austin pet-lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to join the ASPCA and its Austin ASPCA(R) Mission: Orange(TM) partners at the Rock Garden area of Zilker Park. The festivities will begin with the ASPCA's first annual 'Wag-n-Walk' 1 mile Dog Walk at 11 a.m. (Central). After the walk has concluded at 12 noon, a festival will feature adoptable animals from Town Lake Animal Center and the Austin Humane Society, discounted services and information from local spay/neuter groups like Animal Trustees of Austin and Emancipet, music, refreshments for both humans and canines, ASPCA experts, and a variety of pet-friendly festivities that will appeal to pet-lovers of all ages (including a doggy obstacle course!).
* Saturday, April 25 in Venice Beach, Calif. - West Coast pet-lovers and their four-legged counterparts are invited to the Windward Plaza area of Venice Beach to participate in the ASPCA's first annual 'Wag-n-Walk' 1.5 mile Dog Walk at 11 a.m. (Pacific). Immediately following the walk, walk participants and the general public will be invited to enjoy a celebration at 12 noon featuring adoptable animals from Los Angeles rescue group, Bark Avenue Foundation, a remote broadcast and giveaways from L.A. radio stations KOST-FM and KTLK-AM, ASPCA experts, refreshments, and a variety of pet-friendly festivities that will appeal to pet-lovers of all ages.

Also new to this year's celebration of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is the ASPCA Ambassadors Program. ASPCAAmbassadors.org is a new online network which will give ASPCA supporters across the country the chance to become an "ASPCA Ambassador" by either registering to participate in an ASPCA Event — such as our upcoming April 'Wag-n-Walk' events in Austin, Tex., or Venice Beach, Calif., or by holding a personal event this April in their community — be it a bake sale, car wash, or bike-athon on our behalf. If you are planning an event, please visit www.ASPCAAmbassadors.org between March 1 and May 4 to enter the ASPCA's Community Leader Contest — which will award the winner with the most extraordinary 'Go Orange' efforts a $500 American Express Gift Card and a $1,000 grant to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.

In 2009, the ASPCA welcomed the addition of three corporate partners who pledged to support Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month — Subaru and Dogpile.com as presenting sponsors, and Clorox, the makers of Fresh Step, as a national sponsor — further expanding the reach of this important campaign into the mainstream consciousness.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is held appropriately each year in April to honor the anniversary of the ASPCA's founding in 1866. For more information about the ASPCA's rich history and how you can be a voice for animals, please visit www.ASPCAApril.org.

About the ASPCA(R)
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

SOURCE ASPCA