In Recession Volunteerism Is Priceless for Animal Nonprofits

www.CompassionateTravel.org shows how people can make a difference in lives of
animals

BOSTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Animal shelters and wildlife
sanctuaries are struggling in the current economic downturn. Donations are
dwindling while organizations struggle to meet the needs of an influx of
abandoned pets and orphaned wildlife this spring. In response, the World
Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched a Web site,
www.CompassionateTravel.org, which encourages people to volunteer their time
to help animals while on vacation.

"Today's economy has forced Americans to tighten their budgets, but for those
who want to make a meaningful contribution of their time, there has never been
greater need," said Dena Jones, U.S. program director for WSPA. "WSPA's new
compassionate travel Web site lists vacation volunteer opportunities in 30
countries to encourage people to spend some of their free time to help protect
animals and their habitats."

Volunteer vacations include work in veterinary clinics, animal shelters and
wildlife sanctuaries and span the globe from Mongolia to New York.

According to Jones, "The list offers a little bit of everything. People can
volunteer for as little as a day or up to a year, and responsibilities can
range from hands-on duties like bathing elephants to office administrative
work. Those travelers who cannot volunteer can also consider donating old
towels, toys and treats to a local shelter near their destination."

In addition to volunteer opportunities, www.CompassionateTravel.org offers
guidelines, brochures and informational videos on how tourists can make their
trips more animal-friendly. "Compassionate Planet," the Web site's companion
blog, provides weekly updates to readers about unique vacation experiences and
travel tips.

The Web site encourages people to visit nature preserves and national parks
and to avoid tourist attractions that disturb wildlife habitats or inflict
cruelty to animals such as bullfights, roadside zoos and swimming with
dolphins.

WSPA is the world's largest alliance of animal welfare organizations. Through
partnership with nearly 1,000 organizations worldwide, WSPA strives to create
a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends. The organization
aims to foster change at both grassroots and governmental levels to benefit
animals. For more information on WSPA visit www.wspa-usa.org.

SOURCE World Society for the Protection of Animals

Charlotte Tomic, +1-305-531-2576, Cell: +1-917-882-5243, ctomic@aol.com, or
Tina Mosetis, +1-516-487-5866, calltina@verizon.net, both for World Society
for the Protection of Animals