Press Release

ASPCA^® Mission: Orange™ Comes to Spokane, Wash.

First West Coast Community Joins Collaborative Campaign Aimed at Creating A Country of Humane Communities, One Community at a Time

May 16, 2007

ASPCA Media Contact

SPOKANE, WA; May 16, 2007—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), in partnership with three animal welfare groups in Spokane, Wash., today launched “ASPCA^® Mission: Orange™” in Spokane—a collaborative effort to create a “humane community” by curbing the needless euthanasia of adoptable pets.

The ASPCA Mission: Orange effort, which is taking place nationwide in partnership with select “target” communities—including Spokane—will address the animals most at-risk (i.e. shelter animals) by including and collaborating with leading community agencies and organizations to implement a save rate at or above 75 percent for unwanted pets entering shelters.

In Spokane, participating animal welfare agencies in ASPCA Mission: Orange are SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., Spokane Humane Society and Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services.

“I am extremely pleased that so many wonderful agencies in Spokane are joining with us to make their city a true humane community, where no animal is at risk simply because it lacks a home,” said ASPCA President & CEO, Ed Sayres. “As we work collaboratively toward achieving this goal, I am confident that the citizens of Spokane will support its community leaders in doing this, and recognize them for what they are—the true heroes of the community. Together, we can indeed effect immediate, measurable and sustainable change for the animals we are honor-bound to protect and provide for.”

The ASPCA has made a three-year commitment to Spokane, as well as to each of its four other “target” communities, in the 2007 phase of ASPCA Mission: Orange and will invest up to $200,000 per year in each community toward capacity-building and animal welfare efforts. A check representing a $100,000 pledge is being presented to the Spokane community partners for the initial launch of the campaign. An assessment study, to be conducted by the ASPCA and its Spokane shelter partners, will help determine specifically how funding will be allocated.

In order to achieve the ASPCA Mission: Orange goals, the ASPCA and its Spokane partners will implement programs intended to result in immediate, measurable and sustainable change for Spokane’s population of unwanted pets. ASPCA Mission: Orange will drive the effort to reduce the homeless pet population in Spokane by increasing adoptions, reducing intake and strategically prioritizing and targeting other life-saving initiatives.

Other ASPCA^® Mission: Orange communities for 2007 are Austin, Tex., Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss., Philadelphia, Pa., and Tampa, Fla. The ASPCA will continue to implement the ASPCA Mission: Orange principles in New York City, where it is a founding member of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. The ASPCA also welcomes the Richmond SPCA of Richmond, Va. as the “learning laboratory” for these communities, sharing its resources and expertise through learning and exchange programs. The Richmond SPCA implemented a progressive operating model several years ago, and by 2006, no healthy, homeless animal in Richmond was put to sleep.

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