Fifteen Legs Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amber Childres at (512) 478-2028 x224

Saving unwanted pets one "leg" at a time

Internet groups join forces to find homes for last-chance animals

NEWBURY, Ma. - A disturbing number of dogs and cats - six to eight million - enter animal shelters each year in the United States, according to estimates by The Humane Society of the U.S. Some shelter animals are strays, others are surrendered by their owners for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the population of homeless animals far exceeds the number of adoptive homes that can be found for them. As a result, shelters across the country euthanize three to four million innocent animals every year before they ever have a real chance to find a loving home.

But there is hope for society's most unwanted animals, thanks to a compassionate group of people who are connecting online to find loving homes for these last-chance animals.

Animal-lover, author and award-winning producer Bonnie Silva follows the heartwarming journeys of some of these animal rescue transporters in her new book Fifteen Legs: When all that stands between death and freedom is a ride (Riverbank Press, December 2007). Through Silva's accounts of traveling alongside a band of rescue volunteers for two years, the unsung heroes are recognized for their selfless acts.

With the help of the Internet, these rescuers locate last-chance animals and drive legs of cross-country excursions -- sometimes Fifteen or more - to get them to their new homes or safe houses. Fifteen Legs highlights the homeless pet overpopulation issue in America and shows how people are getting involved to save lives.

"The thought of perfect strangers coming together and working as a team to shuttle society's non-human cast-offs out of harm's way was too wonderful a story to pass up," Silva says. After collecting more than two years worth of compelling stories for a documentary film, Silva decided to write a book as well in order to capture all aspects of animal rescue and transport in greater detail.

In an interview, Silva can discuss topics such as:

• An in-depth look at the ever-widening network of animal rescue and transport
• Ways to address the homeless pet overpopulation crisis in America
• The benefits of adopting a companion animal
• Why pets don't make good Christmas presents
• Ways to get involved in animal rescue and transport

Silva is an award-winning producer and author whose work has appeared in publications such as Natural Life magazine, Life Learning Magazine, Home Education Magazine and on the Discovery Channel. She won a National Education Association Award for the Advancement of Learning through Broadcasting, and served as creator, writer and producer for an Emmy award-winning public service campaign. Silva received a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Emerson College and currently resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts with a dog she adopted from a local animal control officer.

For more information, please visit www.riverbankpress.com.

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To request a review copy of Fifteen Legs or to set up an interview with Bonnie Silva,
please contact Amber Childres at (512) 478-2028 ext. 224 or achildres@phenixpublicity.com.