CONTACT: Anne Trinkle, Executive Director, Animal Alliance (609) 635-7006
EVENT: Community Pet Day
DATE: Saturday, March 3, 2012 12:00 - 3:00pm
LOCATION: Dogs and Cats Rule, Pennnington, NJ

“Community Pet Day” will offer low cost vaccines, microchips, nail trims for dogs and cats, plus coupons for low cost spay/neuter and free pet food!

(Pennington, NJ): Pets are always welcome at Dogs and Cats Rule, a three store pet-supply chain with outlets in Pennington, Princeton, and Newtown, PA. Owners George and Joanne Parente have teamed up with local animal welfare agency Animal Alliance to host “Community Pet Day” on Saturday August 13 from 2 – 4 PM at their Pennington store, located on Route 31 North & Denow Road, a mile north of Exit 4 off Route 95. “We think it is so important for all pet owners to have affordable and easily accessible basic veterinary care for their pets. That’s why we are sponsoring ‘Community Pet Day.’ With the economy in its current state, people and their pets need a break, and can benefit from low cost services, like a walk-in clinic,” says George Parente.

“All services at Community Pet Day are $10 - $12 with no hidden fees,” according to Animal Alliance’s Executive Director, Anne Trinkle. “Microchips are $12, Rabies Vaccines are $10, Feline or Canine Distemper Shots are $10, Flea Treatment is $12, and Nail Trims are $12,” she said. A veterinarian and veterinary nurse from Animal Alliance’s Planned Pethood Spay/Neuter and Vaccine Clinic in Lambertville will be on hand to oversee everything, and to administer vaccines and microchips. “Pennington is so close to Trenton, an underserved area for low cost vet care, and we are hoping many Trenton residents attend ‘Community Pet Day’ and take advantage of these super low cost services for their pets.” In addition, she added that coupons will be given for low cost spay/neuter surgeries at Planned Pethood, and a free bag of premium natural food for each cat or dog attendee. Payment can be made in cash or credit card, and all pets must be leashed or in a carrier.

“’Community Pet Day’ is meant to be a hassle-free and economical way to help people and their pets,” says Ms. Trinkle of Animal Alliance. “Rabies is a real public health issue in New Jersey, especially for indoor/outdoor cats and dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. Getting a rabies vaccine at a private vet office can easily cost $100, which is simply out of reach for many people.” The coupons for low cost spay/neuter are intended for those who cannot afford to “fix” their pet. “Last year in New Jersey, 38,000 homeless animals were euthanized, and in nearby Philadelphia, another 20,000 lost their lives in shelters because there were not enough homes for them,” she added.

Spay/neuter is supported by Animal Alliance, as well as animal welfare agencies nationwide, as the best, most effective way to end the pet overpopulation problem. Additionally, spay/neuter is best for the health of the pet because it eliminates certain types of cancer and other health problems. In addition, it reduces unwanted behavior problems that can lead to pets being relinquished to animal shelters.

To make sure high-quality, affordable spay/neuter surgery options are available to all pet owners regardless of their ability to pay, Animal Alliance operates the Planned Pethood Clinic in Lambertville. “Planned Pethood makes it affordable for people to do the right thing for their pet,” says Trinkle. The successful, not-for-profit clinic is the only one of its kind in Mercer and Hunterdon counties. All proceeds from the “Community Pet Day” at Dogs and Cats Rule will benefit the clinic.

“We expect to hold a “Community Pet Day” once a month, rotating among our stores,” says Parente. “It’s just the right thing to do. We want all pets to be healthy and happy,” he says, noting that he and his sister and store co-owner Joanne, adopted their two dogs from Animal Alliance and have a strong partnership with the agency, which also holds monthly pet adoption days at their stores. “Keeping people and pets together, that’s what it’s all about,” adds Trinkle.

Animal Alliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, finds euthanasia to be an unacceptable fate for adoptable animals in shelters, who will lose their lives due to pet overpopulation. Animal Alliance places animals removed from shelters into temporary foster care where they are rehabilitated, spayed/neutered, restored to health, and readied for a speedy adoption. Through its Planned Pethood Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Animal Alliance offers spay/neuter community outreach services to substantially reduce pet overpopulation. Website: www.animalalliancenj.org

Dogs and Cats Rule is family-run business that offers natural, premium and organic foods, supplements, toys, and supplies to discerning pet owners. Owned by siblings George and Joanne Parente, their first store opened in Newtown, PA in September 2001. A second location opened in June 2005 at the Hopewell Crossing Center in Pennington, NJ, continuing a business based on basic family values and qualities to fulfill the needs of pets and their people.

A third location at The Shops at Windsor Green in Princeton opened in September 2010. Website: www.dogsandcatsrule.com