SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- This Sunday, December 11th, New Leash On Life and Rescue For Ruffugees bring together a coalition of Southern California animal rescues for Hurricane Katrina Super Adoption. The two dozen animal rescues appearing at this event collectively took on the challenge of caring for 265 animals rescued from Hurricane Katrina. Half of these animals were recovered by the New Leash On Life Emergency Response Team. Volunteers struggled for over two months to reunite lost pets and owners, averaging one reunion per day.
At Hurricane Katrina Super Adoption, volunteers will begin searching for new permanent homes for the remaining animals by introducing their ruffugees to the public. There will be one exception, however. Dewie, a sharp-witted Lhasa Apso, will be initiated into New Leash On Life's Lend A Paw Program (LAP). If Dewie successfully graduates LAP, he will become a certified assistance animal. This exciting new program empowers animals to flip their roles from "rescued" to "rescuer," giving them an opportunity to have a powerful impact on the lives of children with disabilities.
Lend A Paw builds upon New Leash On Life's 8-year legacy of rescuing and rehabilitating homeless animals. New Leash On Life also produces the wildly successfully Nuts For Mutts Dog Show, an event that draws 10,000 annually to watch mixed breed dogs strut their stuff. Hurricane Katrina Super Adoption is hosted by New Leash On Life and Rescue For Ruffugees.
More Information about Hurricane Katrina Super Adoption: www.newleash.org or www.rescueforruffugees.org