News

CONTACT: Tom Snyder
760-343-4908
development@animalsamaritans.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUMMER'S LARGEST CHARITY EVENT APPROACHES

Thousand Palms, CA - July 5, 2007: Every summer the annual Pets on Parade Awards Luncheon attracts more than 500 Coachella Valley pet owners with their leash-trained dogs and cats. The popular charity event raises money for Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped and Animal Samaritans SPCA.

Pegasus uses its half of the proceeds for the care of adopted and rescued horses, while the money raised for Animal Samaritans SPCA is earmarked for their low and no-cost spay & neuter program. Last year Animal Samaritans SPCA spayed & neutered 7,668 animals. With the influx of new families moving to our Desert communities, the need to control animal overpopulation and stem the tide of animal euthanasia is as great as ever.

Winners of the 8th annual Pets on Parade Photo book contest will be revealed during the luncheon, which is being held Sunday, July 15, at the Doral Princess Resort. The event begins at 11:00 am and concludes at 2:30 pm. Along the way there will be silent auction bidding, an "Animal Alley" vendor fair, live auction, live entertainment, complimentary gift items, and of course recognition of this year's photo contest winners. Lunch is served at 12:00 noon.

Event tickets are $45 for adults and $20 for children; pet owners may bring their leash-trained pets at no charge. To reserve seats call the Pets On Parade hotline at 760-485-7755.

Pegasus was incorporated in 1982 and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit serving the needs of the handicapped. Its mission is to provide medically approved full body range of motion exercise on horseback, called equine therapy, to handicapped children and adults of all ages and with all types of disabilities. Exercise therapy is provided at no cost to other organizations serving the needs of the handicapped, Riverside County Office of Education Handicapped Classrooms, Desert Sands Unified School District Special Education Classes and home care disabled persons.

Animal Samaritans SPCA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit animal welfare organization committed to eliminating the euthanasia of adoptable animals. Programs and services in place to save the lives of healthy and treatable animals include prevention through humane education; low cost and no-cost spay and neuter; low-cost vaccinations; micro-chipping; shelter and care; and adoptions to lifelong homes. We also offer free services that enhance the bond between people and animals, such as a volunteer-based animal assisted therapy program for hospitals, health care, special needs facilities, and Juvenile Hall. Animal Samaritans SPCA, founded in 1978, is the Coachella Valley's lead animal welfare organization. More information is available by calling 760-343-3216 and by visiting www.animalsamaritans.org