Indiana (July 20th, 2007) -

Some of the puppies who will be saved on July 29th.

On July 29th, nineteen homeless puppies and kittens in Rushville, Indiana will defy statistics and have an unexpected chance at life. Indiana-PAW, one of the State's most active animal welfare agencies, is joining forces with the Rushville Animal Shelter for a project designed to save the lives of animals in a shelter that is forced to euthanize approximately 93% of those abaondoned there.

Despite a dedicated staff, the Rushville Animal Shelter is left with no choice but to euthanize most of the animals left there, due to a lack of public support and adoptive homes. So, two weeks ago, Amy Van Ostrand, an Indianapolis attorney and the Founder and Executive Director of Indiana-PAW, contacted the Rushville shelter and invited the shelter to use Indiana-PAW's foster parents when the shelter finds itself overcrowded. Jaime Glandon, the shelter's Manager, told Van Ostrand that, while she appreciated the offer, sadly, the Rushville shelter doesn't have the money to get basic veterinary care for the animals, and can't responsibly send them into foster homes. Hours after the conversation, Indiana-PAW received a donation from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Van Ostrand and her Indiana-PAW colleagues decided immediately to use a portion of the donation to assist the Rushville shelter.

So on July 29th, eleven puppies, seven kittens, and a mama cat from the Rushville Animal Shelter will travel to the Franklin Animal Hospital, where Indiana-PAW will pay for them to receive comprehensive exams, be tested for heartworm and FIV and Feline Leukemia, be vaccinated, be spayed/neutered, and be microchipped. After this, Indiana-PAW volunteers and Rushville Animal Shelter staff will transport the 19 lucky pets to Indiana-PAW-provided foster homes, where the animals will remain until permanent loving homes can be located for them.

Indiana-PAW's founder, Van Ostrand, says "This project is about more than 19 animals. It's also about giving hope to the good people who work tirelessly for them in the face of overwhelming obstacles, like Jaime Glandon and her staff." Glandon, the shelter's Manager, echoes the sentiment, saying, "I can't overstate what this means to our shelter to be able to go pick out animals who will live, rather than picking out animals who we have no option but to euthanize." And Indiana-PAW's foster parents are equally excited. Jenn Williamson, an experienced Indiana-PAW foster mom who has committed to fostering one of the puppies, says, "I am so very excited to be apart of this group!" As for the donor who made this possible, Van Ostrand says, "There aren't words to properly thank this woman - she has opened so many possibilities for our agency for helping more animals."

If you are interested in learning how you can become a lifesaving foster parent to homeless pets through Indiana-PAW, call 317-345-6773, or e-mail indiana-paw@indy.rr.com. And if you'd like to inquire about adopting one of the 19 Rushville animals, please contact Indiana-PAW at the aforementioned number/e-mail. Finally, to make a donation to fund similar projects between Indiana-PAW and the many shelters with whom they work, visit www.indiana-paw.com.

Indiana-PAW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit all-volunteer organization dedicated to Indiana animal welfare education. Its mission is to use education and advocacy to reduce the number of companion animals who are euthanized in Indiana, and to cultivate in the community a sense of respect for the needs of those animals with whom we share our world. For more information, visit www.indiana-paw.com.