ASPCA(R) Kicks Off Nationwide 'Go Orange for Animals' Campaign

Nation's First Humane Organization Celebrates Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Month this April

NEW YORK, April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ASPCA(R) (The American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) has officially kicked off
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month -- an extremely important month for
animals. From its beginnings three years ago as a small grassroots adoption
event in New York City, the ASPCA's April celebrations have mushroomed into a
nationwide celebration of the organization's victories on behalf of animals.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/DC95357-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/DC95357-b)

"We are thrilled to kick off Prevention of Cruelty Month today," said ASPCA
President & CEO Ed Sayres. "Dedicated supporters across the country are
embracing the 'Go Orange for Animals' message by holding bakes sales, benefit
concerts, and taking the time to volunteer at their local animal shelter
throughout the month, and the outpouring of support for animals everywhere is
truly inspiring to us."

Iconic buildings and landmarks across the country such as the Empire State
Building, the Wrigley Building, Graceland Mansion, and even Niagara Falls will
support the ASPCA's life-saving work as they light up in its signature color
tonight and literally "go orange." And this afternoon's "Go Orange for
Animals" Festival in New York City's Union Square Park is the first of three
to take place across the country this month. The ASPCA will then hold
festivals at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, and in Venice Beach, Calif. on
April 18 and 25, respectively. The festivals will feature adoptable animals,
live music, refreshments, ASPCA experts, and a variety of pet-friendly
festivities that will appeal to pet-lovers of all ages. And in the cities of
Austin and Venice Beach -- the first ever "Wag-n-Walk" Dog Walks will take
place to benefit the ASPCA.

Also new to this year's celebration of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
is the ASPCA Ambassadors Program. ASPCAAmbassadors.org is a new online network
which will give ASPCA supporters across the country the chance to become an
"ASPCA Ambassador" by either registering to participate in an ASPCA Event --
such as our upcoming April "Wag-n-Walk" events in Austin, Tex., or Venice
Beach, Calif., or by holding a personal event this April in their community --
be it a bake sale, car wash, or bike-athon on our behalf. If you are planning
an event, please visit www.ASPCAAmbassadors.org between now and May 4 to enter
the ASPCA's Community Leader Contest -- which will award the winner with the
most extraordinary "Go Orange" efforts a $500 American Express Gift Card and a
$1,000 grant to the animal shelter or rescue group of their choice.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is held appropriately each year in
April to honor the anniversary of the ASPCA's founding in 1866. This year the
ASPCA welcomed 2 corporate partners to the "Go Orange" campaign -- Subaru and
Fresh Step. For more information about the ASPCA's rich history and how you
can be a voice for animals, please visit www.ASPCAApril.org.

For a high res version of this image, please contact Alison Zaccone at
alisonz@aspca.org.

Photos by Geoff Tischman for the ASPCA

About the ASPCA(R)

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals(R)) was the first humane organization established in the
Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North
America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA's mission is to
provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout
the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in
animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty,
humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York
City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption
center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement
department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the
reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. For more
information, please visit www.aspca.org.

SOURCE ASPCA

Alison Zaccone of ASPCA, +1-212-876-7700 Ext. 4568, alisonz@aspca.org; or Kate
Sutherland, +1-212-715-2222 Ext. 2221kate@vollmerpr.com, for ASPCA