PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal shelter, will honor a remarkable group of animal heroes whose efforts helped the League rescue hundreds of homeless pets in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita along the Gulf Coast.
Honorees will also include the year's most notable animal champions, from philanthropists and veterinarians to humanitarians and guardian angels. The awards will be bestowed at the 5th Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Garden City Hotel at 45 Seventh Street in Garden City, New York. "This year's awardees deserve special recognition for their commitment to helping the League rescue as many animals as possible in the aftermath of the hurricanes," says Elisabeth Lewyt, founder of North Shore Animal League America. "Thanks to their year-long support, generosity and tireless work, the League was able to get more than 550 pets out of harms way. We owe our 2005 honorees a huge debt of gratitude." CBS Newsradio's Craig Allen and Sophia Hall will host the 5th Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon. Awards will be presented to: * Beth Ostrosky - Guardian Angel Award for serving as the League's spokesperson and helping heighten awareness of the plight of animals in the aftermath of the hurricanes;
* Dr. Eve Ognibene - The Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center Award of Achievement for spearheading the League's rescue operations along the Gulf Coast and working tirelessly to save the animals;
* Jacqueline Meyer and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society-The Emergency Rescue Award for playing a vital role in the League's rescue efforts along the Gulf Coast;
* Bayer Animal Health - Award for Outstanding Corporate Sponsorship for helping the League find adoptive and loving homes for Katrina's homeless pets and many other homeless animals through its sponsorship of Pet Adoptathon and Tour for Life;
* Timber the Dog - The Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism for saving his family by alerting them to a potentially fatal smoke and carbon monoxide leak in their home;
* Steven Garguilo - The Junior Philanthropist Award for helping to raise significant funds for the League and its rescue and adoption efforts throughout the year;
* ClearChannel Outdoor -Media Award of Distinction for donating over 200 billboards, bus shelters and urban panels around the country to Tour for Life and the League's Pet Adoptathon programs;
* Karen and Don LaRocca - The President's Award for Humanitarian Excellence for funding the League's Dog Park and overall generosity, devotion and support;
* Donna and John Imhof -The Spirit of Compassion Award for their animal life-saving and life-enhancing apparatus and equipment which have helped countless special needs animals live full and happy lives;
* The North Shore Animal League America Emergency Rescue Team-The Heroic Effort Award for their monumental animal rescue efforts under grueling conditions in the aftermath of the hurricanes.
Along with the awards ceremony, luncheon attendees will be treated to a private viewing of Tosca Couture's 2005 Fall and Holiday Collection. Taking part in the fashion show will be some of the adorable cats and dogs rescued along the Gulf Coast. There will also be silent and live auctions and a raffle.
North Shore Animal League America was one of the first animal rescue agencies on the ground in the aftermath of the hurricanes and has been actively placing hundreds of homeless pets rescued from the Gulf Coast in safe and loving homes throughout the country. Estimates indicate that more than 10,000 pets were rendered homeless in the worst natural disaster in the nation's history. The League continues to work 24/7 to help with this unprecedented animal crisis with its dedicated and experienced team of emergency response staff and volunteers on location throughout the Gulf coast region.
To set up interviews with any of the awardees, please contact Kelly Keane at (410) 321-0137. For more information about the luncheon and/or to purchase tickets, please contact Jill Wendrow at (516) 883-7900, ext. 402.
About North Shore Animal League America
North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world. The Animal League reaches across the country to rescue, nurture and adopt nearly 20,000 pets into happy and loving homes every year. Since its founding 1944, they have placed closed to 1 million puppies, kittens, cats and dogs into carefully screened homes. One of the first animal rescue agencies on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Animal League rescued more than 1200 pets from the region, with 1170 adopted and 22 reunited with their families. The Animal League is home to the Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center, which provides 24-hour care for the sheltered pets and annually takes care of more than 10,000 outpatient visits, administers over 27,000 vaccinations, and performs over 14,000 free spay/neuter procedures for every adopted animal. The League also has a National Shelter Rescue team, and offers a wide variety of programs such as a mobile adoption program, puppy training, and adoption counseling. For more information on North Shore Animal League America visit AnimalLeague.org.
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