3rd Annual 'Race for the Rescues' Animal Rescue 5K Run/Walk and Adoption Day

3rd Annual 'Race for the Rescues' Animal Rescue 5K Run/Walk and Adoption Day

THE ROSE BOWL: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008

Special Appearances by 'MARLEY,' CO-STAR OF 'MARLEY & ME'

JANE LYNCH And CARRIE ANN INABA To Co-Host Event

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- "Marley," canine co-star of the upcoming 20th Century Fox/New Regency feature film, "Marley & Me," starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, about life, love and the world's best - and worst - dog, will make a special guest appearance at the 3rd annual "Race for the Rescues," to be held on Sunday, October 26th at Pasadena's Rose Bowl. Registration begins at 7:00am and the race promptly kicks off at 8:30am. The day's events also include Celebrity Art Auction, Pet Halloween Fashion Show and Adoption.

"Marley", accompanied by his trainer, will greet attendees, and participate in the 5K Run/Walk helping to raise money for his fellow canines. This is Los Angeles' premier animal-related fundraising event benefiting seven non-profit rescue organizations, The Rescue Train, Best Friends Animal Society, Angels in Fur, Animal Alliance, A Dog's Life Rescue, Four-Legged Friends Foundation, and Molly's Mutts & Meows. Each year these groups combined, rescue and find homes for over 2,000 abandoned Southland dogs and cats, animals that most likely would otherwise have lost their lives.

Lisa Young, director of the Rescue Train, explains the added significance of this year's event: "'Marley' is a wonderful ambassador for our beloved canine friends. Fans of the book; about a challenging yet much-beloved pet, have been anticipating the movie release for a while now, and it's so exciting for us to have this opportunity to celebrate such a great story."

Young added, "Under normal circumstances, hundreds of dogs and cats are euthanized each week in LA's city shelters because there aren't enough homes. With the terrible economic crisis and foreclosure situation, shelters are overrun with displaced pets. Euthanasia rates are up 28% this year. Let's bring the community together to eliminate this suffering through hands-on rescue, education and awareness, and save as many of these precious lives as we can. Perhaps inspired by 'Marley & Me', attendees will find it in their hearts to provide new homes for the rescue animals at the event."

Jane Lynch, star of "Best in Show" and "40 Year Old Virgin", and race host since the 2006 inaugural event, returns again this year. "Our rescued pets give us constant companionship and unconditional love, and these animal rescue groups are too often short on the necessary resources to give the best care these animals need. They go above and beyond and are truly doing remarkable work, and I'm more than happy and honored to give them my support."

New to the Race is, Carrie Ann Inaba, star of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," Passionate about the cause of unwanted pets in our community she says, "The solution is for everyone to spay and neuter their animals and eliminate the overcrowding that causes so many to end up in city shelters. But until we can make that a reality, it is our responsibility to care for all of the animals. That is why events like these are so vital."

In addition to the 5K run and walk, Race for the Rescues will showcase:

-- Walk of Paws - A celebrity art auction featuring unique pieces created
by celebrities and their pets. Past participants include Jennifer
Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, Jim Belushi,
Lionel Richie and NBA legend Bill Walton .
-- 1 Mile non-competitive Kids Race.
-- Pet Halloween Adoption Event & Fashion Show - After showing off their
Halloween best, these "spooktacular" pets from the Pasadena Humane
Society/SPCA and Los Angeles Animal Services will be available for
adoption!
-- A silent auction including tickets to show tapings, specialty pet
products and services, spa packages, photography, jewelry, celebrity
memorabilia, gift baskets, gift certificates, travel and adventure
experiences.
-- Kids' Face Painting, Dog Training Demonstration, fun prizes and more!

Sponsors include: "Marley & Me," from 20th Century Fox and New Regency, in theaters everywhere Christmas Day; Animal Specialty Group, Eye Care for Animals, Ekko Pet Products, LARABAR, Deano's Pizza, Race Technologies, First Point Creative, and Jax & Bones. In addition, Animal Radio Network, the most-listened-to animal show in the country, will broadcast live to over 95 AM/FM stations and XM Satellite Radio.

For full details on Race for the Rescues and information on The Rescue Train, go to www.racefortherescues.org or www.therescuetrain.org.

Source: Race for the Rescues

CONTACT: Delilah Loud, +1-310-264-3355, cell, +1-310-344-7734,
delilah.loud@cbs.com

Web Site: http://www.racefortherescues.org/
http://www.therescuetrain.org/

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