Home > The Alliance in the News > 2004 Alliance News Items > ASPCA Makes an Appeal to 2004 NYC Marathoners to Join the ASPCA for "Love on the Run"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, September 13, 2004

ASPCA Makes an Appeal to 2004 NYC Marathoners to Join the ASPCA for "Love on the Run"

Online pledge campaign launched to raise funds for New York City's homeless pets

New York, NY – Monday, September 13, 2004 – Today, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) launched an online pledge campaign for participants in this year's ING New York City Marathon to help raise money to end the needless killing of animals in New York City's shelters. Each year the city is forced to euthanize close to 40,000 dogs and cats because there are simply not enough homes for them.

The campaign urges marathon participants to invite a group of friends and family to sponsor their marathon run by pledging funds to the ASPCA. Those runners who form their own group will receive their own web page, sponsored by the ASPCA, and will have an individual link that can be emailed to friends and family soliciting donations to benefit the ASPCA. The online campaign may be accessed at www.aspca.org/marathon. Each marathon participant that joins the ASPCA run will receive an ASPCA "Run for Love" tank shirt.

ASPCA Senior Vice President and Chief of Operations Stephen Musso is leading the "A" team and is currently training to complete his third New York City Marathon. "Completing the 26.2 mile run through five boroughs has been an incredible personal accomplishment, but to know that this year's run will help benefit the homeless pets in our city, will give me that added incentive to make sure I cross the finish line!" said Mr. Musso. Also running for the "A" team will be Allison Cardona, Manager for Special Events for the community-based program, ASPCA Cares. Allison is currently training hard for what will be her first NYC Marathon.

"Even if you don't know someone running in the marathon, you can be a part of it by supporting our 'A' team online," said ASPCA President Edwin J. Sayres. "On the day of the race, we'll be out along the route cheering our 'A' team and all the marathoners running in support of New York City's pets."

All proceeds will fund the ASPCA's support of the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals. A public-private partnership with the city of New York, The Mayor's Alliance brings together more than 70 non-profit animal care groups dedicated to ending the needless euthanasia of New York City's homeless pets and making New York a "no kill" city by 2008. Beginning next year, the ASPCA will commit $5 million over the next five years to support the Mayor's Alliance.

Contact:

Ruth Goldstein

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Phone: (212) 876-7700 x4662

Web: http://www.aspca.org/marathon

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