3rd Annual "Race for the Rescues"

Animal Rescue 5K Run/Walk and Adoption Day


THE ROSE BOWL: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008

JANE LYNCH (Best in Show) &
CARRIE ANN INABA (Dancing with the Stars)
To Co-Host Event

Event Also Includes a Celebrity Art Auction, Pet Halloween Fashion Show & Adoption Event, Animal Communicator and Much More!

The Los Angeles animal-loving community’s premiere fundraising event, the “Race for the Rescues” 5K Run/Walk at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, will be held this year on Sunday, October 26th. The 3rd annual event benefits non-profit animal rescue organization, The Rescue Train, as well as Best Friends Animal Society, Angels in Fur, Animal Alliance, A Dog’s Life Rescue, Four-Legged Friends Foundation, and Molly’s Mutts & Meows. Each year these groups rescue and find homes for over 1,500 abandoned Southland dogs and cats.

Lisa Young, Director of the Rescue Train, explains the extra significance of this year’s event : “The current state of the economy has made a crisis situation worse here in the City of Los Angeles. Even under normal circumstances, hundreds of dogs and cats are euthanized each week in our city shelters because we do not have enough homes. And with the terrible foreclosure situation here in the Southland, the shelters are being overrun with displaced pets. Euthanasia rates are up 28% this year. Thousands of beautiful, healthy animals are dying. It is our mission to bring the community together with the common goal to eliminate this suffering through hands-on rescue, education and awareness and to save as many of these precious animal lives as we can.”

Jane Lynch (Best in Show, 40 Year Old Virgin), race host since the 2006 inaugural event returns again this year. “Our rescued pets give us so much love and companionship, and the groups that save and help them are often short on the resources that would allow them to give these pets the best care they deserve and need. They truly are doing an admirable work, and I’m more than happy and honored to give them my support, " says Jane Lynch.

A new addition to the Race this year, Carrie Ann Inaba (one of the judges on the ABC-TV hit series Dancing with the Stars), is passionate about the cause of unwanted pets in our community. She says, “The solution, of course, is for everyone to spay and neuter their animals and eliminate the overcrowding that causes so many to end up in city shelters. But until we can make that a reality, it is our responsibility to care for all of the animals. That is why events like these are so vital.”

Last year’s event, a one-of-its-kind in Los Angeles to bring so many animal rescue groups together for this critical cause, had hundreds of participants and volunteers. This year’s turnout promises to be even bigger, bringing together dozens of Southland Girl & Boy Scout troops, school classes, corporate teams, families, and other groups for a day of fun and fundraising for our furry friends!

In addition to the 5K run and walk, Race for the Rescues will also feature:

Walk of Paws – A celebrity art auction featuring one-of-a-kind works created by celebrities and their pets. (Past participants include famous animal lovers Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore, Jim Belushi, Courtney Cox, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Carmen Electra, Famke Janssen, Amanda Peet, Lionel Richie and NBA legend Bill Walton.)
1 Mile non-competitive Kids Race.
Pet Halloween Adoption Event & Fashion Show – After showing off their Halloween best, these “spooktacular” pets from the Pasadena Humane Society/SPCA and Los Angeles Animal Services will available for adoption!
A silent auction featuring such items as tickets to TV show tapings, specialty pet products and services, spa packages, portraits, photography, jewelry, celebrity memorabilia, gift baskets, gift certificates for dining, travel and adventure experiences, and much more.
Kids’ Face Painting, Pet Psychic, Dog Training Demonstration, fun prizes and more!

Sponsors include Animal Specialty Group, Eye Care for Animals, Ekko Pet Products, Lara Bar, Deano’s Pizza, and RI Race Technologies. In addition, Animal Radio Network, the most-listened-to animal show in America, will broadcast live to over 95 AM/FM stations and XM Satellite Radio.

For full details on Race for the Rescues and information on The Rescue Train, please go to www.racefortherescues.org or www.therescuetrain.org