RIVERSIDE, CA, August 30, 2010 – Laughter will fill the air at the Riverside Convention Center on September 10 when the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) presents its 13^th Annual Comedy Night fundraiser.   The show’s headliner is standup comedian Tom Ryan who has opened for Jerry Seinfeld and Tim Allen, among others, and has appeared several times on television, including “Late Show with David Letterman.”  The opening act is the versatile, comedian-magician-musician Pete McLeod billed as a one-man variety show.

Emcee is country station KFRG 95.1’s “Midday Diva” Heather Froglear.  She admits to being “a huge animal lover” and the “mama” of two rescue dogs, one of which she adopted in 1998 from MSRPAC (known at that time as the Riverside Humane Society).

The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a no-host cocktail reception during which guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres as they peruse and bid on an eclectic assortment of silent auction items.  Included are a Saturday night stay for two in a suite at the Mission Inn with dinner at Duane’s and Sunday brunch, a ride-along in a Riverside Police Dept. helicopter, and a gift basket worth $500 from Cesar Millan.

Catalina Resort Raffle

The Comedy Night raffle prize is a two-night stay for two at Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa on Catalina Island.  The package includes Catalina Express transportation, golf, dinner and spa services.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20.  Attendance at Comedy Night is not required to buy raffle tickets.

Tickets for Comedy Night are $50 per person and must be purchased by September 3.  Tickets will not be available at the door.

To purchase Comedy Night and raffle tickets, call MSRPAC at 951-688-4340 x307, or stop by the Pet Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside, Tues.–Fri., 10–7, and Sat. and Sun., 10–5.  Proceeds from the event will go toward the care of the cats and dogs awaiting adoption at MSRPAC.

The Riverside Convention Center is located at 3443 Orange St. in Historic Downtown Riverside.

Sponsorship Opportunities

It’s not too late to become a sponsor or to donate products and services for the silent auction.  For more information, call Michele Mills at MSRPAC, 951-688-4340 x307.  All donations are tax-deductible.

Sponsors to date are:  Entertainment Sponsors – Broadway Joe Trust, Mary S. Roberts Foundation, Raincross Veterinary Services, and Tavaglione Construction.  Top Dog Sponsors – Broadway Joe Trust, Hamblins Paint, Body & Frameshop, NaturVet Foundation, Pedley Square Veterinary Clinic, and Lincoln Plaza Veterinary Clinic.  Cat’s Meow Sponsors – Gless Ranch, Ruff House Pet Resort, Walter’s Automotive Group, Levi’s Landscaping, BMW of Riverside, Sunnymead Animal Hospital, Valley Animal Hospital, and Donna Knox.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (formerly the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center) is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies. Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped. Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization. For more information, visit www.petsadoption.org.

RIVERSIDE, CA, June 21, 2010 – A new service at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) is sure to be a hit with children.  The Pet Adoption Center (formerly the Riverside Humane Society) invites parents to hold their children’s birthday parties at the shelter, located at 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside.

The kids will have fun touring the facility, interacting with animals, and participating in games and craft projects, while learning about animal care and behavior.  Parents not only will provide a memorable experience for their children and their friends, but can feel good knowing they’re supporting the Pet Adoption Center.  Party fees go directly for the care of the shelter’s cats and dogs awaiting adoption.

The parties accommodate up to 15 children ages 6 to 12, and include the tour, animal encounters, games and crafts in addition to invitations, rental of indoor or outdoor party space for two-and-a-half hours, use of a kitchen and refrigerator, two party instructors, set up and clean up.  The birthday child receives a gift and guests receive goody bags.

Parents provide the food, drinks, paper goods and decorations.  Or, MSRPAC will provide the decorations and paper goods at an added cost.

Parties are held Monday–Friday, 3:30–6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30–3:00 p.m. and 
4:00–6:30 p.m.  For more information or to book a party, call 951-688-4340 x313 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

The birthday parties are an extension of the Pet Adoption Center’s popular humane education program and field trips to the Center for elementary-school children.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

Rick Grimes, district manager for Stater Bros. Markets, today presented the check to Denise Perry, executive director of RHSPAC, at the Pet Adoption Center.

“We’re thrilled to be included with the many other organizations that have received these generous gifts from Stater Bros. and PEDIGREE,” said Perry.  “It’s no secret that animal shelters and rescue groups are struggling in these hard times to keep up with the homeless pet population.  This donation is a big help to us and one that’s greatly appreciated.”

In all, the two companies donated more than $72,000 to help homeless dogs.  The money was raised through an in-store program in which a percentage of the sale of PEDIGREE^® Food for Dogs is donated to local animal shelters and rescue centers.

Stater Bros. Markets, headquartered in San Bernardino, CA, in the past two years has donated more than $106,000 to local pet shelters.  Founded in 1936, the company is the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

PEDIGREE^® Brand is the number one brand of dog food in the world and provides a range of innovative products and resources for pet owners.

The Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center, located at 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside, is a non-profit public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond. As the largest no-kill pet rescue organization in Riverside County, RHSPAC accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from area animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is either spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal is also monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, visit www.petsadoption.org or call 951-688-4340.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, March 4, 2010 – The Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center is now the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center.  Teresa Rhyne, a director of the Center, last evening made the announcement to more than 100 supporters attending a reception honoring the family of Duane Roberts held at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside.

Mary S. Roberts was the mother of Duane Roberts, owner of the Historic Mission Inn and also a food company and real estate businessman, and philanthropist.

The Riverside Humane Society was established in 1897.  In 1995 it was renamed the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center when the organization turned over all animal-control services to the Riverside County Dept. of Animal Services.  The Pet Adoption Center will remain a non-profit 501 (c)(3) public benefit charitable organization and carry on its mission to rescue and find loving homes for homeless cats and dogs.

“It makes me so happy, I’m so deeply honored and proud to have the Center named after my mother,” Roberts said.  “I started the Mary S. Roberts Foundation in her honor to support animals and children, among others.”

On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Pet Adoption Center, Rhyne presented to Roberts and his wife, Kelly, a watercolor painting of the Center with the new name across the front of the building.

Michael Arms, president of Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, was guest speaker at the reception.  He gave a passionate talk, citing heart-wrenching examples, including a personal one of his own, of how animals help and save people.  He stated that animals, in turn, need people to help them, which he sees happening whenever he visits the Pet Adoption Center, thanks to its hard-working, dedicated staff.

Former Name Confusing

“We not only want to honor the Roberts family who has been so very supportive of our organization for many years by making this name change, but we also want to try to eliminate the ongoing confusion the public has regarding our Center and local animal-control services,” explains Denise Perry, executive director of the Pet Adoption Center.

“Not a day goes by that we don’t have someone coming to the Center or calling us looking to turn in a stray animal or wanting to buy a dog license, for instance,” she adds.   ‘We want people to know where they should go to get the services they need.”

“And even though the word Riverside was in our former name, our reach extends far beyond the city of Riverside and Riverside County.  Animals we’ve rescued have been adopted by people from throughout southern California, and even northern California and Arizona.”

“Additionally, the words humane society in our name confused the public even more,” Perry continues.  “We are a private non-profit organization supported solely by donations and fundraising events.  We do not receive any financial support from the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Society, or any other similarly named organization.  We also do not receive funds from any governmental entity.”

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For information regarding adoption or donations, please contact the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

By reducing the number of pet turn-ins due to misbehavior, local shelters may reduce the number of pets euthanized each year.  This free, volunteer-driven service addresses most dog and cat behavior issues, including house soiling, nuisance barking, escaping, destructive behavior, crate training, and introducing cats to cats, dogs to dogs, and dogs to cats, as well as channeling mental and physical energy and more.

This service is available to dog and cat owners throughout the Inland Empire.  Call the Pet Behavior Help Line at 951-688-4340, ext. 6, leave a detailed message, and receive helpful information in the mail.  A trained Help Line counselor will follow up by phone for a personalized discussion about the pet’s issues.

For answers to some common pet behavior problems, visit www.petsadoption.org and click on ‘Pet Behavior.’  Owners may submit their questions through the web site instead of calling.

Please be advised that some cases of aggression and phobias or severe fears are out to the scope of this service.  Pet owners will be referred to veterinarians and certified animal behaviorists for assistance.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, contact the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

Vaccination fees:  rabies $10, canine DA2PPV $12, canine bordatella (kennel cough) $8, and feline FVRCP $12.  Microchips are $25.

The clinics will be held every other Saturday starting April 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  The dates are April 3 and 17, May 1, 15 and 29, June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24, August 7 and 21, and September 4 and 18.

Dogs must be on a leash.  Puppies must be in a carrier or held, not walking on their own.  Cats must be in carriers.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, contact the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, March 25, 2010 – Saturday, March 20, dawned sunny and the parking lots at Fairmount Park in Riverside filled up quickly as the Mary S. Roberts (formerly Riverside Humane Society) Pet Adoption Center’s 18th Annual Walk With The Animals got under way at 8:00 a.m.  The attendance, estimated to be more than 1,400 people along with 500 dogs, a few pigs, miniature horse, and various other creatures, surpassed that of all previous years.

“We appreciate the support we received from the Riverside City Council, Parks and Recreation Department, and Fire Department, our sponsors and volunteers – the list is endless,” said Denise Perry, MSRPAC executive director.  “We especially appreciate all the walkers and other people who attended to support us in our efforts to create a better life for so many homeless dogs and cats.  The community helped us raise over $53,000 which by far breaks previous years’ fund-raising efforts!”

Top Pledge Walkers

The top individual pledge collector for the two-mile walk around Lake Evans was Bonnie Kirby of Riverside who raised $2,147.  This is the seventh year Kirby has been the top pledge collector.  She was rewarded with a weekend stay for two in a suite at the Historic Mission Inn along with Sunday brunch.  Corona resident Olga Barberi raised $2,000 for second place, earning her Sunday brunch for two at the Historic Mission Inn.

The top business/organization ‘dog pack team’ was NaturVet Foundation of Temecula which raised $3,060.  For the third year in a row, the top school ‘dog pack team’ was Ramona Elementary School of Moreno Valley which collected $300.  Commemorative bricks recognizing these two teams will be installed in the Celebration Walkway at the Pet Adoption Center at 6165 Industrial Ave.

Chris Cabral, owner of Muttley Crew K-9 Entertainment, led the walk which this year stepped off in two phases due to the large turnout of walkers.  The agility and disc dogs of Muttley Crew later put on a fun show to the delight of the crowd.  There were a record number of exhibitors on hand this year offering attendees everything from Dachshund and Great Pyrenees rescues for adoption to turtle preservation and tax preparation, as well as pet clothes, treats, training, boarding and much more.

KOLA 99.9’s prize caravan and midday on-air personality Cindy Davis provided music and free giveaways throughout the morning.  Riverside City Fire Department showed some of its water rescue equipment.  The event also included talented pet and pet/owner look-alike contests, a boutique for people and pets, a kids activity area, and low-cost rabies vaccinations for canines.  The morning concluded with Davis drawing tickets for many prizes donated by area businesses.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.  For more information, contact the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

In short order, five staff members and a volunteer headed to the woman’s house with two animal transport vehicles and two pickup trucks with crates.  Once there, the work began to round up the dogs, which were running loose in a fenced lot.  The dogs weren’t aggressive, just skittish around strangers.  A couple of the dogs were found hiding in tunnels they had dug.

“It’s a large number of dogs for us to take in all at once, but luckily we have the kennel space,” said Denise Perry, executive director of MSRPAC.  “We’re thankful the lady realized that her situation was unmanageable and she reached out to us for help.”

“They had food and water but suffered from fleas and undersocialization.  None of them had ever walked on a leash, all need vaccinations, and half of them need to be spayed or neutered,” Perry added.

Rick Belmonte, the center’s behaviorist, has evaluated the dogs which now are getting baths and healthcare checkups.  Volunteers are socializing the dogs and training them to walk on leashes.

The dogs are all cuties, are three years old and younger, and sport a variety of coat types and colors.  They will be available for adoption in May.

Public Appeal

The adoption center has created the “33 Days for 33 Dogs!” sponsorship opportunity and is appealing for the public’s assistance.  A donation of $1.00 a day for 33 days will help provide vaccinations, $3.00 a day will help with spay/neuter costs, and $5.00 a day will help with vaccinations, spay/neuter, and basic care.

As a special treat, the first 33 donors giving at the $5.00-a-day level will get to name a dog!  The center will email to the donors a photograph of a dog needing a name.

To make a donation to “33 Days for 33 Dogs!” visit www.petsadoption.org and click on the ‘Yelp!’ banner, or contact Gail Ousley, director of development, at 951-688-4340 x305.

For information on adopting the dogs, call the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340, visit the center at 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside Tues.-Fri., 10-7, and Sat. and Sun., 10-5, or watch for the dogs on the center’s web site.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

MSRPAC (formerly Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center) will be open extended hours both Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The center is located at 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside.

MSRPAC is lowering adoption fees for Pet Adoptathon to $99 for puppies and kittens, $49 for adult dogs and cats.  All animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

The adoption fees include Cat in the Hat^® beds for cats and a gift box of toys and treats for dogs.  Collars, leashes, carriers, food, toys and more will be available at the Critter Corner sidewalk sale and inside the pet-supply shop.

Various rescue groups also will have animals available for adoption at the Pet Adoption Center.

MSRPAC volunteers will hold a bake sale and food will be available from Hot Doggin’ It Catering.

On Saturday, Riverside Metro Group will have on display the pet-friendly Honda Element and Nissan Cube.  Also on Saturday, go back to the future when you can get an up-close look at a DeLorean.  For a half hour on Sunday, from 6 to 6:30 p.m., get refortified with free drinks from Monster Energy.

For more information, contact MSRPAC at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com