Join World Mutt-i-grees® Rescue Month And Celebrate Shelter Pets

Show Your Pride for Your Mutt-i-gree in the 2013 Calendar Photo Contest

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Shore Animal League America – the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization – is celebrating World Mutt-i-grees® Rescue Month with a 2013 Calendar Photo Contest. World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month, which began on August 1^st, recognizes that shelters nationwide have many wonderful animals available; it also recognizes the importance of adopting when adding a companion animal to your family.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120802/DC51404)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110111/DC27967LOGO)

Adopters of shelter pets are asked to join World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month by participating in the 2013 Calendar Photo Contest. Two winners – the dog photo with the most votes and the cat photo with the most votes – will be featured in the 2013 Animal League Mutt-i-grees Calendar. Photos can be submitted through the Animal League Facebook page at facebook.com/theanimalleague until August 19^th.  Starting August 21^st until September 9^th, voters can visit the Animal League Facebook page titled "2013 Calendar Photo Contest" and vote for their favorite pet photo.  Adopters can also sign up with the National Mutt-i-grees Registry. All registrants receive an Official National Mutt-i-grees Registry Certificate.

Another way people can show support for World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month is by using one of NSALA's Facebook timeline cover photos as their timeline cover image. People can click on this link to download one of the three images to use on their own Facebook page.

"Roughly 8-10 million animals enter shelters each year, and most are healthy, affectionate and beautiful. Those who choose to adopt a Mutt-i-gree are saving one of those lives," said John Stevenson, President of NSALA.  He added, "While NSALA practices a no-kill philosophy, many other shelters are forced to euthanize due to the lack of space and resources, resulting in approximately 4 million shelter pets unnecessarily dying each year. That fact makes shelter adoption the responsible, humane choice."

Mutt-i-grees represent shelter pets and their unique qualities, whether they are purebreds or mixed-breeds; puppies, kittens, dogs or cats; large or small; energetic or laid back. While their individuality makes each one of these Mutt-i-grees special, they all share a common need: to find permanent, loving homes. Support your local shelter or rescue group and adopt a Mutt-i-gree!

For more information on World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month please visit http://www.animalleague.org/events-news/events/world-muttigrees-rescue-month.html. For more information on the 2013 Calendar Pet Photo Contest please visit http://www.facebook.com/theanimalleague/app_451684954848385. For more information on cat or dog adoption, or to find a local shelter to adopt your Mutt-i-gree, visit www.animalleague.org.

ABOUT THE MUTT-I-GREES® MOVEMENT
The Mutt-i-grees® Movement generates awareness of the plight of shelter animals, elevates their status and reduces animal cruelty through education and innovative programs.  An estimated 8,000,000-10,000,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens enter U.S. shelters annually, and tragically, over 4,000,000 of these wonderful animals are destroyed to control pet overpopulation.  Millions of lives could be saved when potential pet parents make the simple choice to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group, instead of purchasing a pet from a pet store.  You can find any type of healthy, vibrant and wonderful dog, cat, puppy or kitten at a shelter near you.  Become part of the Mutt-i-grees Movement by adopting a pet today.  When you adopt a pet, you save a life and help reduce animal cruelty.  Learn more at www.animalleague.org/muttigrees.

ABOUT NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA
The Animal League has saved more than 1,000,000 lives.  As the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn't complete until each animal is placed into a loving home.  Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty and advance standards in animal welfare.  Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly in the pursuit of our vision of a world where all companion animals find permanent homes to end euthanasia. For more information, visit www.animalleague.org.

CONTACT:
Lindsey Calabrese
North Shore Animal League America
516.883.7900 X482
[email protected]

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America