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Home > Out of the Cage! > Holiday 2006 > Alliance Affiliated Organization: Rock Music, Matchbooks and Gingerbread Houses: Rational Animal's Incendiary Formula Ignites Animal Awareness in NYC Alliance Affiliated Organization Rock Music, Matchbooks, and Gingerbread Houses: Rational Animal's Incendiary Formula Ignites Animal Awareness in NYC by Jenny K. Chun, Rational Animal Volunteer As the end of the year draws closer and the holiday season is upon us, the at-risk animals of New York City certainly have reason to be thankful. That's because Rational Animal, an affiliated organization of the Mayor's Alliance, has worked hard this past year to make the city a better place for its animals. From working with legendary rockers to shout out to New Yorkers about the no-kill goal, to dishing up humane messages in gingerbread with celebrity chefs, Rational Animal has found unique ways to fulfill its mission — to improve the lives of New York City's animals-in-need through media advocacy and education.
Gingerbread Homes for Animals With three successful campaigns already completed in 2006, Rational Animal closes the year on a delectably sweet note. On December 8, the fourth annual Gingerbread Homes for Animals event kicked off at the famed Chelsea Market, where for ten days (last day is Sunday, December 17) New Yorkers can feast their eyes on original animal-themed gingerbread houses created by some of the city's finest pastry chefs. This humane education exhibit includes 20 gingerbread creations, fun activities for kids, including special appearances by Maddie, the Maddie's Fund mascot, and performances by School of Rock. The event is co-hosted by the ASPCA and sponsored by The French Culinary Institute, PastryScoop.com, HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers), and the Chelsea Market. Funds raised will benefit Rational Animal and the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals (for which Rational Animal has raised money in the previous three years.) The Picasso Veterinary Fund helps to pay for extraordinary medical care for sick and injured animals transferred from NYC's Animal Care & Control to other Alliance Participating Organizations. For more information about Gingerbread Homes for Animals, visit www.gingerbreadhomesforanimals.org.
GIMME SHELTER: Rock & Rescue NYC As animal lovers with a sweet tooth will congregate at the Chelsea Market in the coming days, animal lovers partial to the sweet sounds of the Beastie Boys, The Blue Oyster Cult, Debra Harry, and many other legendary musicians did just that across the street at the Hiro Ballroom this past October for the second annual GIMME SHELTER: Rock and Rescue NYC concert. This event was created by Rational Animal and co-hosted by the ASPCA to help increase support and awareness of New York City's goal of becoming a no-kill city within the next ten years. The concert also raised funds for Rational Animal as well as event honorees and members of the Mayor's Alliance: City Critters, KittyKind, Paws All Around, Herding Dog Rescue, P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Richmond County, SaveKitty Foundation, Maspeth Bird Haven, and Rabbit Rescue & Rehab. To learn more about this annual event, visit www.gimmeshelterrockandrescuenyc.org. Maps & Ribbons For those supporting at-risk animals by taking in a lifelong companion, Rational Animal's two other campaigns — Trails to Tails and the Orange Animal Guardian Ribbon — provide essential accoutrements to the goal of increasing adoptions. This past September saw the debut of the third edition of Trails to Tails, New York City's first and only animal adoption map covering all five boroughs of New York City. This year's edition was produced in partnership with the ASPCA, and was sponsored by Pedigree and NY Tails magazine. The free, fold-out, full-color map is pretty enough to hang on your wall, and provides a visual of Mayor's Alliance member shelter locations — encouraging people to become familiar with shelters and rescue groups in their area. Rational Animal distributes Trails to Tails to veterinary hospitals, pet supply businesses, all New York Public Library branches and by request to individuals. In 2007, Rational Animal plans to launch an online version of Trails to Tails. To request a copy of the current edition, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Rational Animal, 7 Cornelia Street #1E, New York, NY 10014.
The orange Animal Guardian Ribbon campaign gives animals their own official advocacy ribbon. With orange being the color of Mayor's Alliance "Adopt Me" vests, Rational Animal created an orange ribbon campaign most recently working with artist Nathan James to create a unique pewter pin. The pins come packaged in another Rational Animal original, a matchbox featuring Nathan's artwork of a dog outfitted in an adoption vest and wearing the orange ribbon. There is also a public handout version that features a fabric orange ribbon in the matchbox, which can be handed to people who are looking in pet store windows — a way to gently remind them to adopt from a shelter, not buy from a pet store. Learn more about the campaign at www.animalguardianribbon.org. As the end of 2006 nears, Rational Animal is looking ahead to 2007 with a full year of awareness activities planned. "We are excited to continue our work with the Mayor's Alliance on campaigns that help NYC's homeless animals," says Susan Brandt, Executive Director of Rational Animal. "We couldn't do it without our dedicated volunteers, whose inspiration and talent always create a fresh approach to increasing awareness about those animals that need it most."
For more information about Rational Animal, visit www.rational-animal.org.
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