89 Dogs Get New "Leash" on Life Thanks to Relocation Efforts of ASPCA, Pets Alive, Companion Animals Alliance

NEW YORK—In an effort to give dozens of dogs a new "leash" on life, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is funding the transport of 89 dogs from the East Baton Rouge Animal Shelter in Baton Rouge, La. to Pets Alive animal rescue centers in Middletown and Elmsford, N.Y. The transport to New York from Louisiana offers the dogs relief from crowded conditions as the shelter undergoes progressive changes and improvements under a new director, as well as a second chance for adoption.

The dogs—mostly small mixed breeds and large breed puppies—will be placed up for adoption by the receiving Pets Alive shelters. The transport operation for the 89 dogs—which began this morning in Louisiana, just ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac—is scheduled to arrive at the first stop in Westchester County, N.Y. sometime mid-day on Tuesday, August 28. The operation will then conclude in Orange County with the second stop on Wednesday afternoon. To learn more about the dogs, or to inquire about adoption please visit www.petsalive.org.

"The ASPCA is working collaboratively with Companion Animal Alliance and Pets Alive to provide these dogs with a much-needed second chance at getting adopted," said Kristen Limbert, manager of animal relocation for the ASPCA. "The members of the ASPCA's Relocation Team love being a part of this process, which works to move at-risk animals to locations where they have the best chance of getting out of shelters and finding permanent, loving homes."

"Pets Alive had such a great success with this transport operation the last time, so we are glad to be a part of it again," said Kerry Clair, executive director of Pets Alive.  "Fortunately, we were able to find loving homes for the dogs from the last transport very quickly. With the available space, interested adopters and our extraordinary volunteer support, we are once again in a position to accept dogs and find them forever homes."  She added, "We're very grateful that the East Baton Rouge Animal Shelter reached out for help and opted to help give these animals a second chance. We commend them for all their hard work, and we're thankful that the ASPCA could make this transport to New York possible."

"Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge is incredibly thankful to continue this partnership with the ASPCA," said Kimberly Sherlaw, executive director of Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge. "Through their network and strong national ties, our shelter was able to organize this life-saving transport effort. We are an open-admissions facility, struggling with an antiquated building, limited resources and intake rates of 20 to 30 animals each day. We are thrilled to know that 89 dogs will now have the opportunity to find loving homes."

In addition to the funding provided by the ASPCA Animal Relocation Team for the transport of the animals, the operation is made possible thanks to the collaboration of the following groups:

• Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge, La. – for providing the medical care, examinations, up-to-date vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery to the dogs prior to transport;
• Sumter DART in Bushnell, Fla. – for transporting the animals from La. to N.Y. in custom built vehicles; and
• Pets Alive and Pets Alive Westchester in New York's Hudson Valley – for accepting the 89 dogs into their facilities in Westchester and Middletown.