'Tis the Season...To Adopt a Pet!

About the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals^®

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc., founded in 2002 and powered by Maddie's Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, with support from the ASPCA, is a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters working with Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) to end the killing of healthy and treatable cats and dogs at AC&C shelters. To achieve that goal, the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, helps its Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) work to their highest potential to increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter rates, with the goal of transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015.

www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org

About Best Friends Animal Society^®

Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.

www.bestfriends.org

Media Contacts

Meredith Klinger

M. Silver Associates

Office: (212) 754-6500 x238

E-mail: meredith@msilver-pr.com

Temma Martin

Best Friends Animal Society

Office: (801) 953-8876

E-mail: temmam@bestfriends.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

'Tis the Season…To Adopt a Pet!

Hundreds of Cats, Kittens, Bunnies, and More Hoping for Homes for the Holidays at "Whiskers In Wonderland" — NYC's Largest Holiday Pet Adoption Event in December

New York, NY – Tuesday, November 9, 2010 – The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals^® and Best Friends Animal Society^® are excited to announce New York City's largest Holiday Pet Adoption Event, Whiskers In Wonderland, on December 18 and 19, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, located at 125 West 18th Street in Manhattan.

What better way to celebrate the spirit of the season than to offer the precious gift of life to a homeless pet? In return, your new furry friend can give you the gift of unconditional love and possibly years of better health. Experts say that sharing your life with a pet can be good for your health!

Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals are popular choices for city dwellers with busy lifestyles and limited living space. Hundreds of "apartment-perfect" animals from more than two-dozen Alliance Participating Organizations will be on hand to give potential adopters the widest variety of choices imaginable. And Santa Maddie, the Maddie's Fund^® mascot, will arrive on a Mayor's Alliance "Wheels of Hope" pet transport van, escorted by a few of her "reindogs" for adoption.

Come bring a bit of holiday cheer to these homeless animals and be prepared to fall in love with one…or two. If you are considering adopting a new companion, the holidays might be just the right time to welcome a new addition into your household — especially if you'll be spending more time at home, when the kids are off from school. Representatives from each of the participating rescue organizations will help potential adopters make responsible choices and find the perfect pet to fit their lifestyle. Since adopting a pet is a commitment for the life of the pet and involves the entire household, bring everyone along to help choose the new furry family member.

Come see Cat Fanciers' Association Ringmaster Jill Archibald demonstrate feline agility, with experienced cats completing a timed course of jumps, weaves, and tunnels. The event also will feature free giveaways for adopters, holiday gift ideas for pets and their people, information and advice from pet experts, and holiday carolers. Admission is free to the two-day event. Pet adoption fees are determined by each rescue organization. Event times are Noon–7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19.

For more information about "Whiskers In Wonderland," visit: www.WhiskersInWonderland.org. To find out about other upcoming adoption events, please visit: www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org/adoption.

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