FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 6, 2007
Photo of Sadie available upon request
Contact: Carol Ann MacKinnon, Program Coordinator, 985-3244 x117, awsprog@animalwelfaresociety.org



Animal Welfare Society Counts on Annual
“Strut Your Mutt” Benefit Walk to
Boost Sadie Fund


KENNEBUNK, ME- Advances in veterinary medicine and rising costs for veterinary treatments have led to a pet health care crisis that parallels that for humans. According to Consumer Reports, the average veterinary bill per visit for dog and cat owners jumped roughly 100 percent between 1991 and 2001, to $99 for dogs and $93 for cats. The price of medications to treat a range of ailments from separation anxiety to arthritis to cancer can range from $0.50 to $16 per day, while the average cost to surgically repair a fractured limb is $1,740.

Many pet owners, at one point or another, are faced with unexpected veterinary bills that strain the family budget. Now imagine the challenge of paying for needed medical care that may include daily medications, Lyme disease and heartworm treatments, spay/neuter surgery, or even life-saving procedures like joint replacement, amputation and tumor removal for thousands of dogs and cats.

The Animal Welfare Society (AWS) spends approximately $90,000 a year on medical treatment for the aged, injured, and sick homeless animals that arrive at the shelter facility. Due to limited resources, difficult decisions on which animals will get a second chance must be made based on the long-term quality of life and total costs of needed medical care. According to the ASPCA, one of the main reasons animals are surrendered to shelters is that owners underestimated the costs of pet care and upkeep.
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An 8-year-old Shih Tzu named Sadie, for example, was surrendered to AWS by her owner who could no longer afford to care for her health problems, which included a severe skin allergy, Lyme disease and kidney failure. In spite of her many medical maladies, Sadie quickly charmed the entire AWS staff with her huge heart, tons of charisma and keen zest for life. After extensive testing, treatments and doctor visits, Sadie continues to recover and is happy in her new home.

Recently renamed to honor this special dog that so inspired the AWS staff, the Sadie Fund donations are used to pay for needed medical treatments for homeless animals – cats and small animals as well as dogs – and give special animals like Sadie a second chance. Animal like affectionate and loving Jackie, a female stray cat who hasn’t missed a step since arriving at her new home in spite of losing one of her rear limbs in an amputation after splints and a cast could not heal a fracture. Sadie and Jackie are just two examples of many heartwarming success stories made possible because of the Sadie Fund.

On Sunday, September 9th, the AWS will hold the Morris Insurance “Strut Your Mutt” walk at Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk with all proceeds to benefit the Sadie Fund. This year’s event marks the 13th annual walk and will also include contests, prizes, obedience info, and much more!

Registration and activities begin at 10:00AM with contests and prize drawings hosted by our Honorary Strut Emcee, WMTW Channel 8’s Anchor/Reporter, Jim Keithley. The walk begins at 11:00AM and covers a 2-mile round trip route. For more information and registration forms, please visit the AWS website at www.animalwelfaresociety.org or call 985-3244.