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NEWS RELEASE
25 September 2005
Contact: Judy C. Pierson
(269) 982-2944
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
"SUPPORT FOR SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM"
St. Joseph: Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan, celebrating its 25th year
of rescuing, re-homing and reducing pet overpopulation, is the recent
recipient of a $6,000 Challenge Grant from the Frederick S. Upton
Foundation. The funds will be used to support the organization's spay/neuter
programs and to coordinate services on behalf of homeless animals. Animal
Aid is an all-volunteer animal welfare/rescue organization dedicated to
easing the suffering of injured, abused and homeless animals in Berrien
County.
It is estimated that throughout the United States, eight to ten million dogs
and cats enter shelters each year and at least 50 percent of them are
euthanized. In 2004, the plight of homeless animals in Berrien County
worsened, as there was a 24 percent increase in intakes at Berrien County
Animal Control and the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. During the
same time, adoptions increased by only 3.5 percent. Cindy Bravender, and
Chair, Animal Aid Board of Directors and Co-Founder of the organization,
states: "The crisis of abandoned dogs and cats in Berrien County can be
significantly alleviated by a concentrated effort to educate the public on
the urgent need to support spay/neuter programs." In the past year over 450
animals have been spayed or neutered through Animal Aid. Animal Aid also
provides emergency rescue, medical care, foster homes for rescued animals
and adoptive placements.
The Challenge Grant requires matching dollars. Contributions to support the
program may be sent to Animal Aid, P.O. Box 407, St. Joseph, MI 49085. For
more information visit Animal Aid's website at
www.animalaidsw.org, email Animal Aid at infoanimalaidsw.org or
phone Judy C. Pierson at 982-2944.
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Judy C. Pierson
NFP Consultant
Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan
(269) 982-2944
jconradpierson@cs.com
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