Indiana (April 6th, 2008) -

Waylon - Indiana-PAW's Official Canine Ambassador.

A shy dog who suffered so many years of neglect that his teeth and hair were falling out, and an orphaned kitten who was found huddled on the engine of a car in a junk yard, will now play an important role in helping save the lives of other homeless animals across Indiana. Waylon, a docile Pit Bull, and Lexi, a sweet "girly" cat, have been named the official canine and feline ambassadors of Indiana-PAW, one of the State's most active animal welfare agencies. Effective immediately, they will begin appearing across the State for community events and educational programs, to shine a spotlight on how Hoosiers can end the tragedy of pet overpopulation.

Lexi - Indiana-PAW's Official Feline Ambassador.

It is an improbable turn for two animals who, like thousands of other homeless Indiana animals, came within hours of being euthanized. Last July, Waylon found himself at the Rushville Animal Shelter, with his owner of six years disinterested in retrieving him, and willing to allow him to be euthanized. After Lexi was found orphaned in a junk yard, she was taken to the same shelter, where they tried without success to find her a home. Shelter staff - faced with more animals arriving daily - were left with the heartbreaking task of scheduling Waylon and Lexi for euthanasia. That is when Indiana-PAW partnered with the shelter to send Waylon, Lexi and other animals to be vetted, placed into Indiana-PAW foster homes, and adopted. And now, the duo will use their lives to change other lives.

Beginning immediately, Waylon and Lexi will begin joining Indiana-PAW at community events and educational programs from Valparaiso to Evansville, and all points in between. Waylon and Lexi will be on hand while Indiana-PAW volunteers talk with citizens about the importance of spaying/neutering, adopting rather than purchasing animals, and finding alternatives to giving up pets during difficult times.

Carolyn Valachovic-Monroe, Indiana-PAW's Education Coordinator (and also Lexi's adoptive mom), says, "We believe having Waylon and Lexi on hand will add great value to our programming. It will drive home the fact that citizens' decisions affect whether animals live or die, and now we can all make decisions that will one day make Indiana a place where no animal has to die due to a lack of a home."

Indy residents Gretchen and Jon, who adopted Waylon, say they are proud that he will serve as Indiana-PAW's ambassador. Gretchen says, "We've seen every day for more than 8 months the love and joy Waylon adds to our lives, and if one person who meets him at an Indiana-PAW event is inspired by his story to adopt an animal, to spay/neuter their pet, or to support local shelters, then we'll be thrilled!"

Amy Van Ostrand, Esq., Indiana-PAW's Founder & Executive Director, who selected Waylon and Lexi to be pulled from the Rushville shelter, says, "Waylon and Lexi are wonderful reminders of how people fail animals, but also how people can make a change and do right by them. We hope having them with us in the community will help remind citizens that it is possible, to borrow a quote, to 'begin the world over again,' and that we can do that for animals here in Indiana."

Van Ostrand also says Indiana-PAW's Board of Directors selected Waylon as the agency's ambassador, in part, to give special positive attention to bully breeds, who are one of the most at-risk groups of animals in the State. Van Ostrand says Waylon has completed an in-depth obedience course, was professionally evaluated by a trainer who specializes in Pit Bull socialization, and has been deemed to be an appropriate and safe ambassador for Indiana-PAW. She says, "We're thrilled to have Waylon and Lexi as official members of our team."

To learn more about Waylon and Lexi, to see what upcoming events they will be appearing at, and to view a "Waylon and Lexi's Kid's Corner" page at the Indiana-PAW website, visit www.indiana-paw.com