Walk N' Wag Press Release - August 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jojo Pera 678-764-7357                                   

Morieka Johnson 404-457-4550

Email: pr@ahimsahouse.org

www.ahimsahouse.org
Twitter.com/ahimsahouse

Call for interview opportunities or press passes.

WALK N’ WAG TO HELP HUMAN AND ANIMAL VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

ATLANTA (Aug. 24, 2009) – Ahimsa House, a Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to helping human and animal victims of domestic violence reach safety together, invites Atlanta pet owners to its second annual Walk N’ Wag event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sat., October 23, 2010 at Chastain Park in Sandy Springs. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.

Participants get to strut with their pooch in a 1-mile walk in the park, along with food, fun, dog contests and a silent auction. Pre-registration is $25 per adult and $10 for children ages 12 and under. The fee covers a fun-filled walk, a 2010 Walk N’ Wag T-shirt and doggie bandana, and a goodie bag filled with treats.

But the dog walk is just the beginning of the pooch-friendly festivities. Walk N’ Wag also features:

• Cool tunes: Don’t miss entertainment from indie rock band Henry Porter.
• Great gifts: Start holiday shopping at our silent auction filled with perks for pet lovers, including a portrait with a professional photographer.
• Best in show: See which dog reigns supreme as Atlanta pooches compete for the title of “most vocal,” “best trick” and “best dog-owner resemblance.” Celebrity judges include AJC Peach Buzz columnist Richard Eldredge, Grady High School educator and Atlanta stylist E. Vincent Martinez, and TV personality Holly Firfer.
• Pet pampering: Doggie massages, microchip insertions, and nail clippings will be available at an additional cost.  

Why are we doing this?
“Ahimsa House provides a safe haven for pets caught in the web of domestic violence,” said Ahimsa House Executive Director Maya Gupta. “As a non-profit organization, we’re able to offer pets shelter and veterinary care, and reunite them with their loved ones through volunteer efforts, charitable donations and fundraising events such as Walk N’ Wag. We encourage everyone to come out on October 23rd and support our great cause.”

Walk N’ Wag also extends open paws to businesses and individuals who want to offer sponsorships or set up a vendor booth. For more information visit the Walk N’ Wag portion of our Web site: http://ahimsahouse.org/ahimsa-house-walk-n-wag/ahimsa-house-walk-n-wag/

Event details:

• When:  10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat. Oct. 23. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
• Where: Chastain Park in Sandy Springs
• Parking: Free parking at the Blue Lot on Stella Road.

 About Ahimsa House

Ahimsa means non-violence in Sanskrit. Founded in 2004, Ahimsa House is Georgia’s first and only 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping human and animal victims of domestic violence reach safety together. The non-profit’s services are available to domestic violence victims throughout Georgia. The three primary programs are Emergency Animal Safehouse Services, 24-Hour Crisis Hotline (404-452-6248), and Outreach/Education. Ahimsa House provides shelter for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, some reptiles, and other animals as needed.

Ahimsa House does not receive government funding and depends on donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships and volunteers to support its efforts. It participates with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Gwinnett County Family Violence Task Force, the Forsyth County Domestic Violence Task Force and Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals. Pedigree named Ahimsa House “Rescue Organization of the Year” in 2005. For more information visit http://www.ahimsahouse.org/