Welcome a Cat Into Your Home and Receive Better Health in Return

About the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals^®

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc., founded in 2002 and powered by Maddie's Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, with support from the ASPCA, is a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters working with Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) to end the killing of healthy and treatable cats and dogs at AC&C shelters. To achieve that goal, the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, helps its Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) work to their highest potential to increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter rates, with the goal of transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015.

www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org

About Best Friends Animal Society^®

Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.

www.bestfriends.org

Media Contacts

Meredith Klinger

M. Silver Associates

Office: (212) 754-6500 x238

E-mail: meredith@msilver-pr.com

Temma Martin

Best Friends Animal Society

Office: (801) 953-8876

E-mail: temmam@bestfriends.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Welcome a Cat Into Your Home and Receive Better Health in Return

Furry Friends at "Whiskers In Wonderland" Pet Adoption Event to Purr Animal Lovers into Better Health

New York, NY – Tuesday, December 7, 2010 – Ask any cat owner why they believe their pet is beneficial to them and they will probably rattle off a list of reasons as to why they love cats. But, what they may not realize is that sharing their home with a cat has physical and psychological benefits as well.

Research has shown that being able to care for a pet improves morale, helps validate us and encourages us to take better care of ourselves, while also reducing stress, anxiety, and loneliness — leading to overall better mental health. Studies have proven, however, that there are medical benefits that result from specifically owning a cat.

One example is that the sound of a cat's purr reduces blood pressure, which in turn lowers triglycerides and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Cats, if adopted before or shortly after a child is born, have also been shown to offer protection against certain physical conditions, such as allergies and asthma because early exposure often leads to immunity.

The Whiskers In Wonderland holiday pet adoption event, hosted by the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals^® and Best Friends Animal Society^®, is less than two weeks away and will have a huge selection of adoptable and adorable cats. Animal lovers considering adopting a cat should attend — namely with these vital cat-stats in mind. The event, which will take place on December 18 and 19 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, in Manhattan, will feature hundreds of cats and kittens just waiting to be welcomed into a new home. In return, these furry new friends can give the gift of unconditional love and years of better health.

For more information about Whiskers In Wonderland, visit www.WhiskersInWonderland.org. To find out about other upcoming adoption events, please visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org/adoption.

# # #