ASPCA Dogs Vie For Their Own "Best In Show" During 5th Annual Talent Competition

WHAT: Precocious pooches of all shapes and sizes will strut their stuff at the ASPCA’s (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 5th Annual “Best in Show” talent competition on February 12th at the ASPCA Adoptions Center in Manhattan.

The talent show celebrates “I Love NYC Pets Month,” a city-wide adoption celebration sponsored by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and TD Bank, and features adoption events by various New York City animal welfare and rescue groups throughout February, including the ASPCA’s Valentine’s Day adopt-a-thon this weekend, February 13th & 14th.

WHO: Eight dogs, all available for adoption at the ASPCA, and their handlers will showcase their soon-to-be unhidden talents for a panel of celebrity judges that includes Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Roberta Flack, Tony award-winning actress Bernadette Peters, world-class professional ballroom dance champion and choreographer from “So You Think You Can Dance” Melanie LaPatin, and the ASPCA’s Humane law Enforcement Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo.

First, second and third place winners will be judged on several criteria, including overall presentation, dog’s attentiveness to the handler, and creativity of the commands learned.

WHERE: ASPCA Adoptions Center
424 East 92nd Street/2nd Floor Training Room (Between York and 1st Avenues)
New York, NY 10128

WHEN: Friday, February 12th
12 noon (press should arrive by 11:45 AM)

WHY: “This talent show demonstrates the resilience of these wonderful dogs and the ASPCA’s determination to give them the support and respect they deserve, says Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Adoption Center. “But, the real prize for these talented pups will be finding their two-legged soul mate and a home to call their own.”

HOW: If you are interested in attending the ASPCA’s “Best in Show” talent show please contact Mark Knight, 212-876-7700 ext. 4585 or [email protected].

MORE: With the collaborative effort of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, local animal rescue groups are making their biggest pet adoption push this February during “I Love NYC Pets Month” with dozens of adoption events in all five boroughs, extended adoption hours at city shelters, and special gifts for new adopters. Primary organizational partners of “I Love NYC Pets Month” include the ASPCA, Animal Care & Control of New York City, Animal Haven, Bide-A-Wee, Humane Society of New York, and North Shore Animal League. For more information or a complete schedule of events please visit: www.animalalliancenyc.org/ilovenycpets/2010/

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About the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals®
The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Inc., founded in 2002 and powered by Maddie's Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, with support from the ASPCA, is a coalition of more than 160 animal rescue groups and shelters that is working with Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) to end the killing of healthy and treatable cats and dogs at AC&C shelters. To achieve that goal, the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, helps its Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) work to their highest potential to increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter rates, with the goal of transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015. www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org