American Humane Association Applauds, Encourages U.S. Olympians Bringing Mutts, As Well As Medals, Home

American Humane Association Working Behind the Scenes to Rescue Dogs of Sochi

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Feb 21, 2014, 06:22 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association is giving applause and encouragement to the heroic U.S. athletes who are bringing home mutts, as well as medals, from the 2014 Olympic Games.

American Humane Association has been working behind the scenes with animal lovers and philanthropists to encourage and facilitate the transport and adoption of the dogs, whose plight have captured the hearts of millions, identifying Russian shelters with dogs in need of a forever home, identifying licensed veterinarians in Sochi who can assist with the necessary medical approvals for the dogs to travel, identifying a U.S. shelter for quarantine and licensed veterinarians to assist with care in the U.S., identifying shelters in the U.S. that can house the dogs as they await adoption, and identifying a funder willing to assist with any financial costs associated with transport.

"We, the U.S. Olympians, and every other American want to bring home the mutts, as well as the medals," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "We have been working on ways to facilitate paperwork, transportation and adoption, and are calling on every athlete and U.S. visitor in Sochi to adopt or sponsor these dogs back to the United States where they may find the loving homes they so deserve."

Others Need Help, As Well

Ganzert also reminds the millions of Olympic fans here in the United States that the problems faced by the dogs of Sochi are not unique to any one country.

"You don't need to be a gold-medal winner to make a difference for a dog in need, only a heart of gold," she said. "There are millions of adoptable animals in shelters right here waiting to be rescued. That's what makes a winner in our books."

U.S. Olympians and American citizens attending the Olympics interested in adopting or sponsoring a Sochi dog may find information here: americanhumane.org/sochi. Others wishing to find a pet from a shelter here in the United States can visit www.petfinder.com. To learn more about building a more humane world in every way, please go to www.americanhumane.org .

About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

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SOURCE American Humane Association