To the Rescue, IFAW Presents Animal Action Week 2007: October 1-7

Seven Days that Can Change the World Ķ and a Year of Action for Animals (Yarmouth Port, MA August 21, 2007) IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare http://www.ifaw.org www.ifaw.org ) today announced the 15th annual Animal Action Week ( http://www.animalactionweek.org)the”>www.animalactionweek.org)the worlds largest animal-focused educational event. Running Monday, October 1 through Sunday, October 7, with World Animal Day recognized on Thursday, October 4. The week is themed To the Rescue: Emergency Relief for Animals. For 15 years, IFAW Animal Action Week has been giving young people the knowledge and tools they need to take action to save animals and their habitats around the globe, said Fred ORegan, IFAW President. Last year more than two million people from 15 countries participated in Animal Action Week. Attention is focused on the first week of October, but Animal Action Week activities continue well beyond those seven days. IFAW will present the first-ever Animal Action Awards in the United States at an exclusive reception in Santa Monica, California. During the past several years, the international awards have honored extraordinary efforts around the world to protect wild and domestic animals and their habitats, including such distinguished international recipients as Jane Goodall and Farley Mowat. The Animal Action Awards underscore IFAWs focus on initiatives that are mutually beneficial for animals, people and our shared environment. Each year during Animal Action Week, IFAW launches a new themed program with educational materials distributed free to schools and youth groups. The education packs geared toward students ages 813include a DVD, teachers guide with activity pages for students, a large wall calendar/poster and more. More than 100,000 U.S. classrooms will be receiving the IFAW Animal Action Week materials this year through partnerships with Scholastic, Inc. and Weekly Reader. This years theme highlights the need for emergency relief for animals as well as people when disasters strike, said ORegan. For the people caught in tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami, rescuing livestock, pets and local wildlife is a vital part of the their recovery. Classes, youth groups and individuals are invited to take part in IFAWs annual Design-A-Calendar contest; enjoy My Animal Island and other activities at http://www.animalactionweek.org www.animalactionweek.org ; organize a local animal-related event; or nominate someone for an IFAW Animal Action Award. For more information about Animal Action Week, please visit http://www.animalactionweek.org www.animalactionweek.org ; for more information about IFAW or to become a member, please visit http://www.ifaw.org www.ifaw.org . About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW works around the globe to protect animals and habitats, promoting practical solutions for animals and people. To learn how you can help, please visit http://www.ifaw.org www.ifaw.org .