Press Release: OPIN to Host Second Annual Pet Tail Video Contest and Awards Gala

STAMFORD, CT, February 10, 2011 – Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN), the area’s all-volunteer non-profit advocate for homeless pets in Connecticut, is now accepting entries for its second annual Pet Tail Video Awards.  Award honorees will be announced and nominated videos will be shown on the big screen at the 2011 Pet Tail Video Contest and Awards Gala on Friday, April 15, 2011 at the University of Connecticut, One University Place in Stamford, Connecticut.

Now in its second year, the Pet Tail Video Awards is part of a benefit gala event hosted by OPIN and Stamford Animal Care & Control.  The gala incorporates the video award announcements with a silent auction and cocktail reception.  All funds that OPIN raises at this event will go towards their life-saving programs such as providing medical support for pets in need, pet-owner training programs, foster programs, and adoption initiatives.

The public is invited to submit entries in the form of a short (30 seconds to 3 minute) video, starring their pet, by visiting the OPIN website at www.OPINPets.org.  Submission is free and all entries must be received by March 13, 2011. 

The five award categories are Best Pawformance, Best Bell-Rubbin’ Comedy, Best Musical Tail, Best Real Life Tail, and Best Rescue Tail.

In addition to obtaining the best video award, nominees are also eligible to win a Flip Video™ camcorder and a Jasper Award trophy, OPIN’s version of the Oscar. Winning videos will be shown in full length on the evening of the gala.

OPIN to Host Second Annual Pet Tail Video Contest and Awards Gala (page 2)

About Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN)

OPIN is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to decrease the population of homeless pets in Connecticut through medical treatment, training, public education, and placement programs. OPIN supports pets at Stamford Animal Care & Control and beyond, and provides temporary foster homes for pets of domestic violence victims and homeless pets. As well, they are a member of Pets for Patriots, an organization who helps military members honorably adopt adult shelter pets. For more information, please visit www.opinpets.org

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Contact:

OPIN
Outreach To Pets In Need, Inc.
P.O. Box 488
Riverside, CT  06878

outreach@opinpets.org
www.OPINPets.org

PRESS RELEASE: VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WILL HAVE SAFE SHELTER FOR PETS

APRIL 20, 2010

There are many reasons a victim of domestic violence may opt not to go to a shelter or safe house, but now the fear of abandoning a pet doesn’t have to be one of them.

Thanks to a newly-formed partnership between the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN), foster care services will be available for pets whose owners enter the DVCC’s SafeHouses in Stamford or Norwalk.

”This partnership is so important for victims of domestic abuse who have pets and fear for their safety,” said Cyndy Goldberg, the Director of the DVCC SafeHouses. “It ‘s heartbreaking when a woman who needs and wants a safe place to stay decides not to come to us because there is no way to accommodate her pet.”

Goldberg said that several women each year choose not to come to a DVCC SafeHouse because of their pets and that there are undoubtedly others who don’t even call because they know they can’t bring their pets.

Because the program is so new, OPIN’s immediate goal is to build a network of people who are willing to open their homes to a pet for a temporary stay.

”This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to those in need, both human victims and those they deeply care about, the companion animals who have found a place in their hearts,” said OPIN Co-founder Jenny Colucci. “OPIN will coordinate the foster home and provide medical care, food and supplies, if necessary. But it goes without saying that without foster homes, this exciting opportunity cannot exist.”

The program will be overseen by OPIN’s SafePet Program Coordinator, who will work with potential foster care providers and act as the liaison between them and DVCC SafeHouse staff Applications to join the SafePet foster network may be found here. Outreach to Pets in Need was founded in March 2007 with the mission to decrease the population of homeless pets through medical, training, education and placement programs. The organization works collaboratively with the Stamford Animal Care and Control Shelter.

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center is committed to promoting the fundamental right of all individuals to be safe in their personal relationships. With a professional staff who have years of experience and expertise in the field of domestic violence, the agency offers confidential services at no charge, including court and legal services, group and individual counseling, temporary shelter, housing services, children’s services, medical advocacy, multilingual services, Peace Works prevention education and a 24-hour hotline (1-888-774-2900). With offices in Stamford and Norwalk, DVCC is the only domestic violence agency serving the communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston. Tn fiscal year 2008 - 2009, DVCC provided shelter and counseling services to over 4,000 unduplicated victims of domestic violence, and Peace Works provided programs to nearly 27,000 students and conducted workshops and awareness events for nearly 4,000 adults.

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Domestic Violence Crisis Center
777 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 588-9100

Contact: Kathy Lake Media Relations Advocate
Phone: (203) 588-9100
Email: klake@dvccct.org