PRESS RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melanie Norton, Public Relations

Office (760) 839-7976

Cell (760) 505-9893

CROWD OF 200 SHOW SUPPORT AT

HUMANE SOCIETY SITE DEDICATION

January 24, 2002--Escondido, CA—The Escondido Humane Society’s Site Dedication, which took place on the one year anniversary of the shelter’s fire, drew a crowd of 200 well wishers accompanied by nearly fifty of their furry companions.  Many of the four-legged friends were of the 85 animals that survived the fire.  City Council members June Rady and Marie Waldron joined Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler in a show of support for the humane society.

            Phil Morgan, the humane society’s executive director, addressed the crowd saying, “As I look back at this past year, it was undoubtedly a year of pain, uncertainty and hardship.  But, I also saw it as a year of commitment resolve and determination.  I do not want today to be an anniversary of sorrow, but a day to be recognized for achievement and a celebration of our future.”

            The humane society’s future was the overriding theme of the day.  Building plans for the shelter’s three phase building project were displayed as well as renditions of the structure’s façade.  Some supporters ordered bricks form the society’s “Buy a Brick” program, while others took the opportunity to sign up for the 3^rd annual animal walk coming up in March.

            Melanie Norton, the humane society’s public relations coordinator said, “It was nice for people to come out and see what we’ve been working on in the last year.  They were able to see the site, look at our plans and get a picture of our rebuild project as a whole.  We’ve kind of been out of the public eye for a while, so the event allowed us to resurface and show everyone that we’re still here and we’re still working as hard as ever to get our doors back open.”

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