Two-Division World Boxing Champ Bernard Hopkins to lead Animal Welfare Project on MLK Day

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- CAMDEN CITY, NJ - Bernard Hopkins, who is known as “The Executioner” in the ring, and a spokesman for fighters’ rights, will advocate the importance of spaying and neutering  pit bulls through a free spay-neuter program in Camden City, NJ.  
   Bernard Hopkins, serving as a spokesperson for a new billboard campaign led by NJ Aid for Animals (NJAFA), a nonprofit animal charity serving the animals in Camden City, NJ,  “Project Knock Out” promotes the need for spay-neuter programs for pit bulls, especially in urban areas where dog fighting, stray population and other abuses persist.  This breed also accounts for about 80% of dogs brought to the local shelters.
   “The Fight” showcases Bernard Hopkins, along with boxers Ivan “Mighty” Robinson and Mike Jones and two special pits that are, of course, neutered with a message that strong men take care of their pits and have them spayed or neutered too.  The photo shoot will be held at Camden Boxing Academy in Camden City on January l7, Martin Luther King Day of Service.
   “I am happy to lend my name and likeness to this great cause,” said Hopkins, “as an owner of a pit, this is a project that is near and dear to me. I am looking forward to working with NJ Aid for Animals and the young fighters in Camden in order to get this message out there to make sure people spay and neuter their pits.”
   “We’re honored that Mr. Hopkins is lending his name to this important project as part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service because he is showing young people that being kind to animals and spaying and neutering and not breeding pits to combat pet overpopulation is the right thing to do,” said Kathy McGuire, President and Founder of NJ aid for Animals.
   Since launching NJAFA in 2005, this all-volunteer nonprofit has provided transport and funding for hundreds of dogs for spay-neuter.  “The fact is, there are too many pits that end up euthanized in local shelters.  We are compelled to take action and work to make a positive change. The billboard campaign will” speak” to the residents.  When young men see their role models, it makes a critical difference.”
   Hopkins, a former two-division world champion, reigned over the Middleweight division for a decade with a record 20-title defenses.  The 46-year-old boxing power house shows no signs of stopping. His recent brilliant performance against the young champion Jean Pascal, who is l8 years his junior, resulted in a controversial majority draw showed that when it comes to Hopkins, age is nothing but a number.  While Hopkins has solidified his place in boxing history, he continues to work outside of the ring to better the community as he will when he supports NJ Aid for Animals.

   Corporate sponsorship will cover the costs of the billboards. For information on how to sponsor and on NJAFA, contact McGuire at info@njafa.org or 856.498.3978 or visit http://www.njafa.org.

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NJAFA, Inc. is an all volunteer 50l(c)(3) registered not-for-profit corporation, founded by Kathy McGuire, a NJ State Certified Animal Cruelty Investigator and NJ State Certified Animal Control Officer. NJAFA prrovides spay and neuter for dogs and cats in Camden, NJ for individuals that cannot afford cost or transportation. Other key areas of focus include: improving quality of life for dogs and cats in Camden through the Pet Enhancement Program (PEP) (shots, flea treatment, grooming, doghouses, medical assistance); reaching out to Camden inner city residents through educational and cutting edge programs; pursuing justice for abused animals by aiding private citizens in the process of reporting animal abusers and follow through to prosecution . Visit http://www.njafa.org.