(Prudent Press Agency)--- Best Friends Animal Society is celebrating its 25th anniversary by launching a charitable arm to help fund local rescue groups dedicated to solving the national homeless pet problem. Tying into this silver anniversary is a drive to raise $25,000 in donations to be matched by $25,000 from Best Friends for a total of $50,000 to be distributed to these groups.

The concept of Best Friends Network Charities fits with Best Friends' mission according to Gregory Castle, interim chief executive officer. The mission known as "No More Homeless Pets®" is aimed at ending the killing of animals in shelters and increasing adoptions of rescued homeless pets.

Castle said: "We recognize that it's difficult for many local rescue organizations who are engaged in vital work in the field to get enough funding, let alone build and maintain an online marketing and fundraising campaign. We hope to help with the launch of Best Friends Network Charities, something we think will be an exciting fund-raising aid for organizations in communities across the country who are 'fighting the good fight' on behalf of homeless pets."

The Utah-based organization will provide a special web site (Best Friends Network Charities) where people can donate to their local community animal organization, as long as it has been registered as a member of the Best Friends Network Charities group, working on the collaborative goal of No More Homeless Pets. While the goal is to help raise $25,000 between Nov. 9 and Dec. 4, 2009, Best Friends' "Double your Impact" challenge provides for matching every dollar contributed in this time frame up to a total of $25,000. There will be an online, real-time calculator on the Network Charities landing page where the progress of donations can be seen during the 25 days.

"Since Best Friends was founded in 1984, we have always put a premium on helping local animal rescue groups succeed, whether providing logistical aid to animal rescue organizations, or helping to fund community animal welfare projects, such as Safe Humane Chicago or feral cat spay/neuter efforts in Jacksonville, Fla., and Los Angeles FixNation," Castle added.

The benefits to the local animal rescue groups that participate include:


* A free and easy-to-maintain mini website, through which the groups are able to receive online donations
* Using the mini website for recruiting volunteers and publicity
* Tying into Best Friends Network website traffic, promotions and partnerships


To participate in the Best Friends Network Charities program, shelters and rescue organizations must:



* Be a registered 501 (c)(3) organization
* Work toward solving America's pet overpopulation problem


Beginning Nov. 9, local community shelters and rescue groups that meet the above criteria and get their group approved can participate in the program. Best Friends will match every dollar donated to participating Network Charities through December 4, up to a total of $25,000. Individual donations will be matched up to $500.

About Best Friends Animal Society:
Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation. In 2009, Best Friends celebrates its 25th anniversary.

For more information contact:
Barbara Williamson (435) 644-2001 ext. 4408, (435) 689-0200 (cell) or barbara(at)bestfriends.org
John Polis (435) 644-2001 ext. 4858 or johnp(at)bestfriends.org
Temma Martin (801) 953-8876 (cell) or temmam(at)bestfriends.org