Rob and Marisol Thomas’ Sidewalk Angels Foundation Saves More Lives

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - May 19, 2014 - PRLog -- Saturday, May 17, 2014 was a joyous and meaningful day at Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary in Middletown, NY. The no-kill rescue brought together nearly 50 of its closest supporters in an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of two new handcrafted barns donated by Rob and Marisol Thomas’ Sidewalk Angels Foundation. The rescue, which has been operating for nearly 35 years, has a rich history in providing safe haven to abused and neglected horses and other farm animals. “This gift is crucial to our ability to save more horses than ever before and we could not be more grateful to the Thomases for making it possible,” Jen Cutler, Pets Alive CEO. Cutler also noted that Pets Alive is one of the first rescues to provide sanctuary to New York City Carriage horses and they continue to be a resource to the many organizations working to end the abusive carriage horse industry.

The new barns are the first step in growing the Pets Alive Sanctuary Farm Animal Program. “Many of our guys have specific needs. We have a knowledgeable staff and the ability to deal with these delicate issues. Most equine and farm animal sanctuaries are full and have difficulty finding adoptive homes. Last year we adopted out 5 horses and 5 pigs while also rescuing 7 horses and 6 goats from neglect cases. I am very excited, with the donation of these beautiful barns, to kickoff off a rejuvenation of the farm at Pets Alive,” Cindy O’Brien, Pets Alive Farm Animal Manager. The animal rescue is now launching a campaign (www.petcaring.com/petsalivebarn) to raise the additional funds necessary for the expansion project. A $27,000 goal has been set and the organization is hopeful that it can reach this objective in the next six weeks.

Maria Maldonado, Sidewalk Angels Foundation Board Member and Pets Alive Board Member shared remarks on behalf of Rob and Marisol Thomas, “Pets Alive has been helping horses since they first opened their doors but their finances were stretched so thin with day to day operations of the entire sanctuary that they struggled to develop a structure that could allow them to do the work they truly wanted for the farm animals. We are hoping that these horse barns will be sturdy and strong enough to help their ability rise to the level of their passion.”

The ceremony which took place on Saturday, May 17, 2014 included a prayer at one of the site’s memorial gardens honoring those horses who have passed on while living at the facility and a blessing of the new barn and future animals who will find refuge at the sanctuary. After the touching and at times tearful service, the group took a tour of the current barn and paddocks where they met some of the farm animals currently living at the sanctuary and saw firsthand the achievements of the organization’s Farm Animal Program as well as the needs outlined in the rejuvenation and expansion plan. (Please visit http://youtu.be/aL7Nzf1e6ng to see footage of the day's events).



More information about the Pets Alive Sanctuary Farm Animal Program Campaign please visit www.petcaring.com/petsalivebarn.

About Pets Alive

Pets Alive is one of the oldest and largest no kill organizations in the United States saving more than 2,000 animals each year. Pets Alive is internationally recognized as a leader in developing alliances to end the killing of and promote the humane treatment of companion animals. The mission of Pets Alive is to improve the lives of companion animals everywhere by any means possible, including rescue, adoption, advocacy, collaboration, intervention and education.  Pets Alive operates three locations: Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary in Middletown, New York; Pets Alive Westchester in Elmsford, New York; and Pets Alive Puerto Rico in Utuado, PR.  Pets Alive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity operating solely on individual donations, receiving no funding from city or state. For more information, please visit www.petsalive.org.  To become a fan of Pets Alive on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/petsalive.  To follow Pets Alive on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/petsalive.

About Sidewalk Angels Foundation

Sidewalk Angels Foundation is a New York-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to grassroots groups across the country. It is the primary supporter and sponsor of a number of no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, reflecting the passion of the foundation's co-founders to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice. Additionally, the foundation also supports a myriad of other causes, from childhood health and wellness to the fight against homelessness.

Established by singer-songwriter Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol in 2003, Sidewalk Angels Foundation functions like an umbrella organization that provides funds and resources to smaller local and regional entities that are doing vital work, but may lack the marketing and organizational clout and financial budgets to continue or expand their services. For more information, please visit www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.org.