November 13, 2008 (Port Washington, NY) - At his first press conference, President-elect Barack Obama kept a personal campaign promise to his family by announcing that there will be a new addition to the First Family...a dog. He added that it was his preference that the dog comes from a shelter. "That's wonderful news for the more than 8 million puppies and dogs living in shelters across the nation," says Joanne Yohannan, Sr. Vice President of Operations and Emergency Rescue for North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization.

"We applaud that our president-elect wants to save the life of a shelter dog, and we are very optimistic that when the Obama family makes their choice, Americans will be watching and will follow their excellent example," adds Yohannan.

For his search, President-elect Obama set criteria that the family pooch be hypoallergenic, since his 10-year-old daughter Malia has allergies. Yohannan said "There are thousands of shelters across the nation that offer a wonderful selection of rescue mixed-breed dogs, or as we call them, Mutt-i-grees. There are Mutt-i-grees that might produce fewer reactions in people prone to allergies, including single-coated dogs with shorter, curly or wiry coats that shed less and thus emit less allergy-aggravating dander. Some hypoallergenic breeds, including Poodles, Terriers, Shih Tzus, Westies and Yorkies, and Mutt-i-grees that are mixes of these breeds, could be great choices. Virtually any type of dog, from purebreds to any combination of mixed-breed dogs—Mutt-i-grees—are available at shelters.

Through North Shore Animal League America's 2,000+ national shelter partner network, and its team of veterinary, behavioral and breed experts, they can help find the perfect Mutt-i-gree for the First Family, or for any family in America.

For more information on North Shore Animal League America, the American Mutt-i-grees Club or its national shelter network, please visit www.AnimalLeague.org and www.muttigrees.org.