FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 15, 2007

"Gingerbread Homes for Animals" NYC's Holiday Pastry Exhibit and Benefit for Animals Back at Chelsea Market

New York, NY – Thursday, November 15, 2007 – The fifth annual Gingerbread Homes for Animals pastry exhibit will be held again this year in Chelsea Market. This humane education event is produced by Rational Animal, NYC's non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness about NYC's at-risk animals. The event is produced with the support of the ASPCA, PastryScoop.com, The French Culinary Institute, HEART, Avian Welfare Coalition, and Chelsea Market.

Over the past four years Gingerbread Homes for Animals has become a family holiday favorite in the city. Animal themes expressed in traditional holiday gingerbread and sweets has been a hit with the people of New York City who love animals and pastry. Leading NYC pastry chefs participating this year include: Martin Howard, Brasserie 8½; Victoria Love, The Water Club; Lauri Ditunno, Dianne Rossomando, The French Culinary Institute; Judiaann Woo, Raina Bien, Danielle Wong, Sampurna Satpathy, PastryScoop.com. For the second year, the event will be held in the perfect location — the popular Chelsea Market, the former National Biscuit Company building where the first animal cracker and Oreo cookie were made and which now thrives with individually owned bakeries.

"We love using these beautiful gingerbread creations as a means to learning more about NYC's at-risk animals," says Susan Brandt, executive director of Rational Animal. "And we are proud that this event has become a family favorite — folks come back each year to see what the chefs have dreamed up and feel good about donating to at-risk animals."

This year Rational Animal has created a set of commemorative holiday cards featuring some favorite gingerbread houses of years past. The set of eight cards will be sold as a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds going to the Picasso Veterinary Fund, providing lifesaving care to homeless animals with medical emergencies. Also this year, a raffle will be held with ticket holders eligible to win one of the gingerbread houses and animal cookie decorating for kids will be in full swing everyday.

For more information contact Susan Brandt at Rational Animal, (917) 239-9229, sbrandt@rational-animal.org, www.rational-animal.org.

WHEN: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 2007 – 10am–6pm

WHERE: Chelsea Market, 16th & 10th Ave Entrance

Admission is free

Rational Animal is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that creates media and special events to increase awareness about New York City's at-risk animals. Rational Animal has produced TV spots, four annual editions of the first five-borough animal adoption map series Trails to Tails, the Orange Ribbons for At-Risk Animals campaign, Gingerbread Homes for Animals, a humane education exhibit, and the Gimme Shelter: Rock & Rescue NYC concert series celebrating NYC's goal of ending euthanasia in city shelters. In addition to campaigns for homeless companion animals, Rational Animal also campaigns for wild or captive and performing animals. To learn more, visit www.rational-animal.org.

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