FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Animal Friends Hosts the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Rescue”

Over the past 11 years, Animal Friends’ annual New Years Eve Rescue has been a Pittsburgh tradition—and a last-chance lifeline for lost pets. This year, on Wednesday, December 31, Animal Friends will once again rescue lost pets who are slated to be euthanized by the year's end.

From 9:00am - 2:00pm at the 12th annual New Years Eve Rescue, Animal Friends’ staff and volunteers will travel to local Animal Control facilities to bring back the unclaimed pets who would not otherwise live to see 2009. Then, each rescued pet will bask in top-notch care at Animal Friends’ resource center, where they will be vaccinated, groomed, given a comprehensive medical and behavioral evaluation, and scheduled for a spay or neuter surgery—all so that ultimately, these once-doomed pets will become members of a family in 2009.

Rescues like this one are a shining example of why adopting from Animal Friends--all year round—is so critical. For every animal who finds a home through Animal Friends, there are others who desperately await a space and a second chance in our kennels.

This year, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the city that supports Animal Friends, each rescued pet will be named after a local neighborhood—from Garfield to Ross and communities in between. Once again this New Years Eve, Pittsburgh will be a more compassionate place for homeless pets.

Pending any necessary rehabilitation, the rescued pets will be spayed or neutered and made available for adoption beginning Saturday, January 3. In the mean time, families are urged to come to Animal Friends to adopt to help us empty our kennels in preparation for the rescue. Every empty cage means another life can be saved.

Media Note: Animal Friends is located at 562 Camp Horne Road in the North Hills, just 10 minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh. To get to Animal Friends, take I-279N to Exit 15 at Camp Horne Road and turn left at the light. Drive through two more lights to find us on the left.

Photos and video of rescued pets as they arrive at Animal Friends and are examined, bathed and vaccinated are encouraged.

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About Animal Friends
Animal Friends, southwestern Pennsylvania’s singular companion animal resource center, is proud to serve pets and people through our humane programming. From creative kenneling for homeless animals to humane rescue to innovative outreach programs, Animal Friends is changing the way an animal shelter can enhance our region. We’re proud to place over 2,200 dogs, cats, and rabbits into loving homes each year, as well as serve tens of thousands of people through our pet-focused therapeutic and educational programs. Animal Friends is a non-profit organization that relies on community support. To learn more, visit www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org.

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