Indiana (November 29, 2005) - One year ago, Indiana animal lovers launched Indiana-PAW, a non-profit agency working to reduce the number of companion animals who are unnecessarily euthanized in Indiana. In the 364 days since, Indiana-PAW has established itself as Indiana's fastest- growing animal education league, arming thousands of Hoosiers with information to save animals' lives, facilitating the placement of countless homeless animals into homes, helping people on the verge of abandoning their pets find positive alternatives, and transforming the way local animal shelters and rescue groups share resources and information.

• Educated Thousands Of Hoosiers, Empowering Them To Make Decisions Which Save Animals' Lives. Indiana-PAW's 130 volunteers have canvassed the State, arming thousands of Hoosier adults and children with information to make responsible decisions for their pets, and save homeless pets. From Indianapolis to Evansville, Franklin to Richmond, Rising Sun to Greenwood, Indiana-PAW has used its "PAWs Across Indiana Community Outreach Program" and its "PAWsitive Speaker Series" to distribute information about pet care, the benefits of adoption, and the need to spay/neuter pets.
  
  
• Helped Place Countless Homeless Animals Into Permanent And Temporary Homes, Avoiding Euthanasia. Indiana-PAW has helped place countless animals into permanent homes through its "Pet Of The Week" program, and its "Super Database," which provides information for 400+ Indiana shelters and groups. One success involved a dog named McGarvey, who spent nearly two years in a shelter, but was adopted after being featured as a " Pet Of The Week." And, each week, Indiana-PAW's flagship program its "Foster Roster" places animals at risk for euthanasia in temporary homes with Indiana-PAW volunteers.
  
  
• Directed Hundreds Of Hoosiers On The Verge Of Abandoning Their Pets To Life-Saving Alternatives. Indiana-PAW responds to daily e-mails, phone calls and message board postings from Hoosiers on the verge of abandoning their pets due to a lack of information about basic pet health, behavior and care. Through its "Points To PAWnder" program, volunteer phone-responders, and volunteer veterinary technician, Indiana-PAW has directed hundreds of citizens to resources (veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists, literature) to enable them to keep their pets.
  
  
• Transformed The Way Indiana Animal Shelters And Rescue Groups Share Resources And Information. More than 50 Indiana animal shelters and groups have already turned to Indiana-PAW and its website, www.indiana-paw.com, as a clearinghouse of information and support. These groups use Indiana-PAW's "Foster Roster" program, "Pet Of The Week" program, "Super Database," "Indiana-PAW Transport Team," bulletin boards, and other programs to help them save animals.
  
  

About Indiana-PAW

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.