RIVERSIDE, CA, January 26, 2012 – Dress yourself and your dog in your best green outfits and start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, or St. Paw-trick’s Day, early on Saturday, March 17, by joining hundreds of humans, dogs, and other critters for the 20^th Annual Walk With The Animals presented by Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC).  This year’s event features Bob Harper of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and Irish Wolfhounds from Wolfhoundrescue.org as Grand Marshals of the pledge walk around beautiful Lake Evans in Fairmount Park, Riverside.

Pledge walk registration and a hearty pancake breakfast ($5 per person) begin at 8:00 a.m. (band shell area) with the event’s various family-friendly activities going on from 8:00 until noon.  Walk With The Animals is free, open to the public, and held rain or shine.

A bagpiper kicks off the 1.3-mile pledge walk at 9:00 a.m.  The St. Paw-trick’s Day event also features a performance by children from Butler Fearon O’Connor School of Irish Dance, a Kiss The Blarney Dog booth, pet costume contest, Muttley Crew K-9 Entertainment, Urban Search and Rescue demonstration, bake sale for people and pets, exhibitors, breed rescue groups, low-cost vaccinations and microchips, and fabulous raffle prizes.  Free water and first aid is available for pets and people.

Walk participants are encouraged to collect pledges to sponsor their effort. There are categories for individuals and groups of three or more adults and youth (16 and under). Participation in the pledge walk is not required to attend the event.  To register as a pledge walker, go to www.firstgiving.com/petsadoption or call 951-688-4340 ext. 307.

The person collecting the most pledge money will enjoy a Saturday night stay for two in a suite at the Historic Mission Inn with Sunday brunch.  Second place pledge collector receives Sunday brunch for two at the Historic Mission Inn.  The top two youths collecting the most pledge money receive an MSRPAC engraved medal and Walk t-shirt.

The top team, adult and youth categories, collecting the most pledge money will be recognized with a commemorative brick in MSRPAC’s Celebration Walkway.

All dogs must be on a six-foot or shorter leash, under control of a handler, friendly to animals and people, and healthy, have a current license and ID tag, and be more than four-months old.  Cats and other pets must be on leashes, in carriers, or otherwise contained and controlled.

Grand Marshals

Harper, a fitness expert and personal trainer to the stars, has been a trainer on “The Biggest Loser” reality television show since 2004.  He has been featured on television and in magazines and workout videos and is a writer and motivational speaker. As an advocate for animals, he adopted a Havanese mix rescue, has spoken out against puppy mills and is a past national spokesperson for Farm Sanctuary.

The Irish Wolfhounds are rescues from Wolfhoundrescue.org of Sherman Oaks, CA, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to the rescue, care, rehabilitation and placement of Irish Wolfhound companions everywhere, and in Southern California in particular.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Exhibit space is free for nonprofit animal-welfare organizations and $50 for all other businesses and organizations.  Booth space comprises one eight-foot table and two chairs.  Exhibitors are welcome to bring booth graphics and displays.  Canopies are advised for weather protection.  No electricity is available.  Deadline for exhibitor applications is March 9.

Gold Paw Sponsors to date are City of Riverside Park, Recreation & Community Services Dept., Frontline Plus/Heartguard Plus, Inland Lighting Supplies, Inc., Jan Peterson Child Development Center, Law Office of Ellen Weinfurtner, Lexus of Riverside, Mary S. Roberts Foundation, McDonalds on University Avenue, Perricone Farms, Raincross Veterinary Services, Riverwalk Pet Resort, and Starbucks.

Silver Paw Sponsors are Arlington Animal Hospital, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., Donna Knox, Ed Adkison, Intervet, Lamb Energy, Inc., and Security Bank of California.

For information on being an exhibitor or sponsor, call Michele Mills at MSRPAC, 951-688-4340, ext. 307.  For more information on Walk With The Animals, visit www.petsadoption.org.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, November 10, 2011 – What to my wondering eyes should appear, not one, but two Santas!  That’s right!  Don’t tell the kids, but there will be two Santas at this year’s popular Pet Pictures with Santa event at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC).  Bring your pets to meet Santa Claus and have their pictures taken with either of the jolly big elves while also helping to support homeless animals.  The event will be Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside.

Admission to Pet Pictures with Santa is free and sittings for Pet Picture photos are not required in order to enjoy the fun.  Activities include a bake sale, vendors offering holiday and pet-related products, raffle, vaccination clinic, and cats and dogs available for adoption.  There will be hot dogs, smoothies, gourmet candy apples and gourmet dog treats available for purchase, and complimentary popcorn, hot apple cider and coffee.

All animals attending the event must be on a six-foot or shorter leash or in a pet carrier. Puppies four months and younger must be in carriers or held and not allowed to walk on the ground for their health’s sake.

No appointments are needed for photo sittings.  Photos will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  And with two Santas, wait times will be shorter for those impatient pets!

Photo keepsakes being offered are button, key tag or ornament, $5 each; travel mug, $7; tote bag, $8; 5×7 photo in jacket, $10; t-shirt, $10; and CD with 5 poses, $15.  CDs and 5×7 photos will be mailed or available for pick up on December 12.  All other items will be ready to take home from the event.

Olden Days Boutique will hold a raffle for both a handmade cat-themed and a dog-themed warm, fuzzy blanket.  Each person who purchases a pet photo item will receive one free raffle ticket.  Tickets also can be purchased at the company’s booth.  The drawing will be held at 4 p.m. and the winner does not need to be present.  The money from ticket sales will be donated to MSRPAC.

Dog behaviorist Rick Belmonte of Belmonte’s Dog Training will be on hand offering free behavior consultations.  Volunteers from MSRPAC’s agility program will help dog owners test their pets’ skills on the covered agility course.

MSRPAC’s low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic for cats and dogs will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  And, of course, there will be many wonderful homeless cats and dogs waiting to go to loving homes for the holidays.  The Center is open for adoptions 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The Critter Corner store inside the main building is stocked with a large variety of toys, supplies and accessories for cats and dogs, as well as books and pet-themed gifts for humans.

For more information on Pet Pictures with Santa, call 951-688-4340 x307 or visit www.petsadoption.org.  See the web site for vaccination and microchip fees and pets currently available for adoption.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

TEMECULA, CA, May 13, 2011 – Stephanie Wolfe, 18, daughter of Timothy and Linda Wolfe of Temecula, recently won grand prize in non-classical dance at the 23rd annual Music Center Spotlight Awards competition held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  The evening gala performance was hosted by Golden-Globe-winning actor Ron Perlman.

The event was the culmination of a year-long program featuring teenage dancers, singers, instrumentalists and visual artists from throughout southern California.  Nearly 2,400 high school students participated, the most in the history of the Music Center Spotlight Awards, according to competition organizers.  Earlier this year, 90 semifinalists were selected.  Of those, 12 were selected as finalists to compete for cash prizes at the evening gala.  Contestants were judged on excellence in technique, presentation, musicality and artistry.

“Spotlight was the best experience of my life,” Wolfe said.  “I felt so honored to share the stage with such talented artists.  I felt so accomplished.”

The evening’s performances were judged by an esteemed panel of performing arts celebrity judges, including for the non-classical dance competition: Emmy-winning choreographer, Daniel Ezralow; co-creator of the American Choreography Awards and dance talent agent, Julie McDonald; and former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Hector Mercado.  In reference to Wolfe’s performance, one of the judges declared, “A star was born tonight!”

All finalists had the opportunity to work directly with renowned artists and arts professionals who provided insights on technique, training and professional life.  This element of the Spotlight Awards is designed specifically to help participating students better prepare for future opportunities in the arts.

Actress Jeri Gaile, director of the Spotlight Awards program, had high praise for Wolfe:  “Stephanie lights up the room and stage with her incredible energy and killer smile!  I’ve always known her to be a dedicated dancer and extremely hard worker.  She is dazzling to watch perform!  I have a feeling that anything she puts her sights on is attainable.”

Crystal Cruises, a sponsor of Spotlight Awards, has signed Wolfe to perform on a cruise to Alaska July 8-20 as part of the company’s Emerging Artists program.

Wolfe has appeared as a dancer in several stage productions and a television pilot.  Currently a senior at Temecula Valley High School, she plans to attend Cal State-Fullerton in the fall and pursue a dance career, first in Los Angeles and eventually moving to New York.

Wolfe has won several regional and national dance awards in recent years including semi-finalist in the Music Center Spotlight Awards in 2010, the national title of Miss Dance America at Kids Artistic Review in 2009, and Teen Dancer of the Year, a regional title in American Dance Awards.  She for 15 years has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical dance under Jimmy Peters, artistic director for Temecula Dance Company.  She also has studied voice.

The Music Center Spotlight Awards is one of the nation’s most acclaimed performing and visual arts education programs for teens.  The program has launched numerous professional careers.  Thirteen finalists are Presidential Scholars, and many have joined or performed with professional companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.  Many alumni return to the program and participate as judges and master class instructors.

Fredric M. Roberts is founding chairman of the Music Center Spotlight Awards and Walter Grauman is creator/executive producer.  The Music Center Spotlight Awards is supported by Bank of America, Helen and Peter Bing, and the Music Center’s Fraternity of Friends, a volunteer membership organization comprised of prominent Los Angeles businessmen and entertainment industry professionals who support the Music Center.  For more information about the Music Center Spotlight Awards, visit musiccenter.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, April 13, 2011 — Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) has named Aggie Greenberg of Pomona the organization’s volunteer of the year.  Executive Director Denise Perry on April 10 presented the 2011 Friend of the Animals Award to Greenberg at the annual volunteer recognition party.

“Aggie has been a shining star among our amazing team of volunteers and now she is also part of our dedicated staff here at the Pet Adoption Center,” said Volunteer Services Manager Jackie Lamirande.

In the two years Greenberg has been a volunteer at MSRPAC, she has made her mark.  She started with socializing and exercising dogs one day a week, as well as helping to organize and run boutique tables at the Center’s fund-raising events.  Last September, she also took charge of decorating the ballroom at the Riverside Convention Center for MSRPAC’s popular Comedy Night.

Then proving that even while on vacation the Adoption Center is on her mind, Greenberg in 2010 happened to visit an animal control agency’s thrift store in Arizona.  Thinking a store of that type would be a financial boost to MSRPAC which had done annual yard sales for years, she approached Perry with the idea.

Long story short, Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store opened on March 1 in Magnolia Town Center Shopping Center in Riverside, next door to Star Dental Group.  The 2000-sq. ft. store facing Jurupa Ave. and open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. has been going gangbusters ever since.  Greenberg, who for eight years had owned an antiques store in Pomona, is one of four paid part-time employees, assisted by MSRPAC volunteers.

Greenberg and her husband soon will be moving to Riverside to be closer to her mother and their two adult children and their families…and the Adoption Center and Thrift Store.  Her husband, a pharmacist, will then be doing the commuting to his work in Diamond Bar.

“New volunteers are always welcome,” Lamirande added.  “If you would like to join our volunteer team to either help at the Thrift Store or work directly with the animals at the Adoption Center, please contact me at 951-688-4340 ext. 306.”

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information on programs, services and available pets, visit www.petsadoption.org or call 951-688-4340.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, March 25, 2011 – More than 800 people and their pets braved threatening skies on Saturday morning, March 19, to enjoy four hours of non-stop activity at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center’s (MSRPAC) 19^th Annual Walk With The Animals at Fairmount Park in Riverside.  This year the always-popular event broke all previous records by raising more than $60,000 to benefit the homeless cats and dogs awaiting adoption at the adoption center.

“Not only was I relieved that the rain held off for our event, I was thrilled to see so many people enjoying a day out with their pets,” said Denise Perry, executive director of MSRPAC.  “I am so thankful that our organization has so many wonderful supporters!”

MSRPAC also thanks ABC7’s Inland Empire bureau chief Rob McMillan for serving as grand marshal of the pledge walk around Lake Evans.  He was joined by shelter dog Rusty, an adorable briard-schnauzer mix, who’s still waiting for his forever home.

Top Fundraisers

Olga Barberi of Corona was the top individual pledge collector for the walk, winning a weekend stay for two in a suite at the Historic Mission Inn.  She was the second-place fundraiser last year.  Capturing second place this year and receiving Sunday brunch for two at the Historic Mission Inn was Lewis Hall of Riverside

The individual youth pledge collector was Lauren Burton of Riverside.  Coming in second was Alexa Montegna, also of Riverside.  Both young ladies received an MSRPAC engraved paw-shaped medal and Walk t-shirt.

The top Kid Pack was the ACS Club from the Riverside Unified School District.  And the top Dog Pack was Levi’s Home Of Paws, a group from Riverside.  Both teams received a commemorative brick in their honor to be placed in MSRPAC’s Celebration Walkway and each team member received a Walk t-shirt.

Fun for All

MSRPAC Director Teresa Rhyne and volunteer Gary Campbell kept the morning’s action on track repeating as MCs of Walk With The Animals.  Chris Cabral and Muttley Crew K9 Entertainment once again entertained the crowd with  his agility and disc dogs.  Riverside Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team did a demonstration which featured search dog Nikko who climbs ladders.

Other activities included a pancake breakfast, Jazzercise warm-up before the walk, food vendors, exhibits, boutique and bake sale for pets and people, raffle prizes, breed rescue groups, and MSRPAC’s low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic.

In addition to the hundreds of dogs of all sizes and breeds, this year’s event also brought out ponies, goats, a cow, an alligator!…and one very brave cat.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, February 22, 2011 — Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC), a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter for cats and dogs, on March 1 will open Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store at 6065 Magnolia Ave. in Magnolia Town Center Shopping Center in Riverside, next door to Star Dental Group.  The store features a bright 2000-sq. ft. showroom in a corner location, ample parking, and easy access from Jurupa Ave.  The store will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Revenue generated by Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store will help support the cats and dogs at MSRPAC as they await their loving, responsible homes.  At the same time, the store will benefit residents of the Riverside area by providing another resource for bargain shopping.

MSRPAC is now accepting donated items to stock the store.  So, get a jump on your spring cleaning!  Go through those closets and cabinets, change that décor.  Free up square footage in your garage, or downsize that self-storage unit!  Then, donate your treasures to Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store.  All donations are tax deductible.

The store accepts the following: clothes, shoes, purses, small appliances in working order, furniture, home decor, housewares, artwork, lamps, jewelry, luggage, photography equipment, lawn furniture and decor, toys, camping equipment, sporting goods, small tools, pet supplies, and more.

Merchandise the store will not accept are mattresses, computers and all related equipment, and potentially hazardous items (e.g., paint, batteries, etc.).

Donations may be dropped off every day at the Thrift Store from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Volunteers wanted

Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store also seeks retail-minded volunteers to help staff the store.  Duties will include receiving, sorting, pricing and stocking merchandise, merchandising, assisting customers, cashiering, and store cleaning.  Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

For more information on making donations or volunteering at the store, call MSRPAC at 951-688-4340 ext. 300.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies. Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

In notifying MSRPAC of this change, ABC7 said, “Rob McMillan is an Inland Empire native and is excited about supporting the Walk and reporting on stories meaningful to the people of the Inland Empire.”

McMillan is a native of Rancho Cucamonga. His west coast TV news reporting stints included two years in Palm Springs before he went to work for KABC-TV in 2007.

“We greatly appreciate ABC7’s support of our walkathon fundraiser,” says Walk With The Animals coordinator Michele Mills.  “It’s going to be a great morning for the more than 1000 humans and 500 dogs we expect to attend, as well as for the homeless animals at our shelter that will benefit from the money raised through the kindness of so many wonderful people.”

Walk With the Animals takes place 8:00 a.m. to noon at Fairmount Park (band shell area) off Market St. in Riverside.  The event is free and open to the public.

At 9 a.m., McMillan will lead all pledge walkers on a one-and-a-half-mile route around Lake Evans.  A jazzercise warm-up will precede the walk.  Registration of walkers and a pancake breakfast start at 8 a.m.

Walk Pledges and Prizes

Everyone wishing to participate in the Walk is encouraged to collect pledges to sponsor their effort.  There are categories for individuals and groups, adults and youth.  To register as a pledge walker, go to www.petsadoption.org or call 951-688-4340 ext. 307.

The person collecting the most pledge money will be awarded a Saturday night stay for two in a suite at the Historic Mission Inn with Sunday brunch.  Second-place pledge collector will enjoy Sunday brunch for two at the Mission Inn.  The top two youths collecting the most pledge money will win an MSRPAC engraved paw-shaped medal and Walk t-shirt.

The top team collecting the most pledge money in both the youth and business/club categories will be recognized with a commemorative brick in MSRPAC’s Celebration Walkway and each team member will receive a Walk t-shirt.

Individuals also can make cash donations.  A $50 donation will sponsor an MSRPAC dog and volunteer escort to parade at the Walk, with the donor recognized in the Walk program book.  Anyone donating $75 receives a Walk t-shirt.

Fun for All Attendees

Following the walk, there will be many activities for all ages, including Muttley Crew K-9 Entertainment, Urban Search and Rescue demonstration, exhibits, boutique and bake sale for pets and people, raffle prizes, breed rescue groups, low-cost vaccinations and microchips, and more.  Free water and first aid will be available for both pets and people.

All dogs must be on a six-foot or shorter leash, be under control, friendly to animals and people, healthy, have a current license, ID tag and vaccinations, and be more than four months old.

For more information on the 19^th Annual Walk With The Animals, visit www.petsadoption.org or call Michele Mills at MSRPAC, 951-688-4340, ext. 307.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, November 4, 2010 — Santa Claus will make his annual appearance at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) on Saturday, December 4, for Pet Pictures with Santa so that pet owners can have photos of their good little dogs and cats just in time for the holidays.  The event takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside.

No appointments are needed as photos will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All animals must be on a leash or in a pet carrier.

Photo keepsakes and photo ornaments are $5 each, 5×7 framed photos are $10, and CDs with 5 poses are $15.  Photo keepsakes and ornaments will be available moments after the photos are taken.  Framed photos and CDs will be mailed or will be available for pick up at the Pet Adoption Center on December 10.

This free event is open to the public and promises to be a fun day for the entire family.  Pet Picture sittings are not required to attend.

Kids can make pet- and holiday-themed crafts, enjoy treats, learn about the humane treatment of animals, and receive a goody bag.  There will be a bake sale, hot dogs and candy apples for purchase, and free apple cider and coffee.  For holiday shoppers, there will be a boutique offering gifts and gift baskets for people and pets, as well as holiday decorations.

Dog behaviorist Rick Belmonte of Belmonte’s Dog Training will be on hand offering free behavior consultations.  Volunteers from MSRPAC’s agility program will help dog owners test their pets’ skills on the agility course.

MSRPAC’s low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic for cats and dogs will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Cats must be in carriers, dogs on leashes.  Puppies must be in carriers or held and not allowed to walk on the ground for their health’s sake.

The Pet Adoption Center will be open for adoptions 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  For additional shopping, the Critter Corner store inside the Center stocks a large variety of toys, supplies and accessories for cats and dogs, as well as books and pet-themed gifts for humans.

All proceeds from Pet Pictures with Santa and Critter Corner go toward the care of the animals in transition at the Pet Adoption Center.

For more information on Pet Pictures with Santa, call 951-688-4340 x307 or visit www.petsadoption.com.  See the web site for vaccination and microchip fees and pets available for adoption.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, October 12, 2010 – Vegetation-destroying pests controlled with the aid of statistics.  Soil contamination hot spots targeted through statistical sampling.  Software to manage massive computer networks developed with statistical algorithms. The human brain’s relationship to hereditary disease studied with the support of statistical analysis.

These are just a few examples of how the fascinating world of statistics benefits our everyday lives and makes our world a better place.

At the center of this innovative work is the Statistical Consulting Collaboratory at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).  Since 2003, the Collaboratory has been involved in a multitude of projects, many on the leading edge of science, medicine, high tech, business and academia.

The Collaboratory serves a dual purpose.  It provides graduate students in statistics with an environment for collaboration in research and instruction along with the practical experience they need in order to prepare for employment.  Further, it offers for reasonable fees to the public and private sectors a broad range of statistical expertise including design of experiments, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, and data modeling.

“We solve problems,” emphasizes Daniel Jeske, director of the Collaboratory and a professor of statistics.  “We help businesses, governments, nonprofits, and academia make informed decisions by analyzing and modeling the data they’ve collected, whether it be from customers, surveys, sampling, or other research.”

Current or recent clients and the projects in which the students of the Collaboratory assisted include Integrien Corporation’s (recently purchased by VMware, Inc.) development of large-scale network monitoring software, the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture’s study of the effects of dairy farms on water pollution, Loma Linda University’s study of the human brain in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, Riverside County (CA) Community Action Partnership’s cost-benefit analysis of a program serving the impoverished, and the work of UCR’s Dept. of Entomology to manage pests in citrus and avocado groves.

The Collaboratory (http://collaboratory.ucr.edu) was formed under the joint leadership of of Keh-Shin Lii, Professor of Statistics and former chair of the Dept. of Statistics, and Robert Hanneman, Professor of Sociology and former Associate Dean.  Jeske, the current chair of the Dept. of Statistics, has been the Collaboratory’s director since its inception.  He and Associate Director Karen Xu conduct the initial scoping of the client projects and supervise the mostly second- and third-year graduate students who are assigned the work.

For more information on the Statistical Consulting Collaboratory and its role in supporting businesses, please call Daniel Jeske, 951-827-3014.

The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world.  The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center.  The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

“Workers from all over Thailand came to help rebuild what had been destroyed.  Many brought their dogs, and when the building was completed, they left the dogs behind,” explains Junie Kovacs, LAW’s founder.  “Tourists took pity on the dogs and began feeding them.  This resulted in high survival and reproduction rates causing a completely different kind of boom…one of overpopulation, starvation, disease, abuse and injuries.”

“Local residents were using crude, inhumane means to control the animal population,” Kovacs continues, “such as putting fish hooks in their food, or poisoning or drowning them.  Puppies and kittens were left on roads to be run over or left on cliffs to be washed out to sea by high tide.  Something had to be done.”

It’s a daunting task in Thailand to operate a rescue organization like LAW (www.lantaanimalwelfare.com).  There’s so much work to be done; many, many lives to save…and against some difficult odds, Kovacs points out.  In order to continue its mission, LAW needs help from animal-loving humans not only from Thailand, but from around the world.

Kovacs says her organization would love to hear from veterinarians interested in visiting Koh Lanta for a volunteer vacation and from vet and vet tech students interested in doing internships with LAW.  Additionally, they greatly appreciate the animal lovers who spend some or all of their vacation time in Thailand volunteering at LAW.  Volunteers help care for and socialize the dogs and cats, as well as help with rescues and shelter operations.

When space is available, volunteers who donate one month of their time are given free, basic, comfortable accommodations (food not included) along with an introduction to the island and a volunteer handbook.  All volunteers receive a great experience and the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped animals very much in need.  Kovacs says volunteer candidates must be hard-working, enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn new things.

Appeal for Donations and International Rescue Groups

LAW is a small organization funded mainly by the profits from Kovacs’s business, Time For Lime (www.timeforlime.net), a popular beachside cooking school and restaurant/bar with vacation bungalows on Koh Lanta Island.  Kovacs, a Norwegian expatriate who also has lived in the United States, started Time for Lime in 2002, and rebuilt the property after it was heavily damaged in the 2004 tsunami.

Monetary as well as pet food and other in-kind donations are desperately needed in order for LAW to continue its life-saving work.  At any given time, LAW is caring for 30 dogs, 30 cats, and a few monkeys.  Most of these animals come to LAW in poor condition, having been abused by humans, hit by vehicles, or left diseased and starving on the streets.  Once rescued by LAW, the animals receive necessary medical care and rabies vaccinations, and are spayed/neutered and cared for until they’re adopted.

Additionally, LAW offers spay/neuter services and rabies vaccinations to pet owners on the island.  To date, LAW has spayed or neutered 1300 animals and given 2000 rabies vaccinations.  These numbers include both owned and rescued animals.

Individuals, groups and companies can make financial donations with credit cards through LAW’s web site: www.lantaanimalwelfare.com.  Click on ‘How you can help.’  For more information on LAW’s needs, email Kovacs at info@lantaanimalwelfare.com or call +66 (0)899 675 017.

Kovacs is interested in speaking with representatives of foreign, no-kill animal rescue organizations that can take dogs and cats LAW has rescued so that the animals have a greater opportunity to find loving, forever homes.  The more animals that leave LAW’s shelter, the more lives on the island LAW can save.

Lanta Animal Welfare (LAW), located on Koh Lanta Island off the southeast coast of Thailand, was founded in 2005 by animal lover and business owner Junie Kovacs for the purpose of rescuing and relieving the suffering of dogs, cats and the occasional monkey that were proliferating on the island following the tsumani of 2004.  LAW provides medical care, food and socialization for the stray animals it rescues until loving homes are found.  LAW also provides spay/neuter and rabies vaccination services to pets on the island.  Charitable, non-profit status is pending.  For more information, visit www.lantaanimalwelfare.com.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com