North Shore Animal League America to Honor Rachael Ray with President's Award for...

North Shore Animal League America to Honor Rachael Ray with President's Award
for Humanitarian Excellence

Ray to Accept Honor at June 3 Luncheon on Long Island

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Daytime host and best
selling author Rachael Ray will accept North Shore Animal League America's
prestigious President's Award for Humanitarian Excellence at the eighth annual
Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, June 3.

Ray will be honored at the Animal League event, taking place at the Garden
City Hotel in Garden City, NY, for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of
companion animals. North Shore Animal League America is the world's largest
no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, saving the lives of nearly
20,000 animals each year.

In 2008, Ray partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to develop Rachael Ray
Nutrish(TM), a line of delicious and nutritious dog food with real meat as its
first ingredient and no by-products. Ray donates all of her proceeds from the
sale of Nutrish to pet charities. Through Rachael's Rescue, she is able to
help charities that take care of animals who have no one else to look out for
them.

"I am heartbroken by the thought of the millions of mistreated and abandoned
animals taken in by shelters each year and in this depressed economy the
problem may only get worse," said Ray. "I am deeply proud of the work we are
able to undertake through Rachael's Rescue with our partner North Shore Animal
League America and I look forward to continuing our work together helping
animals in need."

Rachael's devotion to her own dog, Isaboo and her support of shelter and
rescue groups have brought attention to the plight of homeless animals.

"We have greatly benefitted from Ms. Ray's attention to our mission and her
willingness to offer various levels of support to our organization," said
Animal League president, John Stevenson. He stated that Nutrish and Rachael's
Rescue have given generously to the Animal League on several occasions,
including supporting its annual fundraising Gala as well as sponsoring Animal
League spokesperson Beth Ostrosky Stern as she ran for the animals last fall
in the New York City Marathon.

"Rachael Ray is a powerful voice in the media and someone of great influence
among the American public. She demonstrates the deepest compassion when it
comes to the needs of homeless animals. We are proud and grateful to have her
support," commented Stevenson.

For ticket information, contact Denise Zayas, 516 883.7900 ext. 821 or
denisez@AnimalLeague.org or visit http://www.AnimalLeague.org/luncheon/2009/.

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America

Dianne Zoppa of North Shore Animal League America, +1-516-883-7636, Mobile,
+1-516-232-5998, diannez@AnimalLeague.org