April 22, 2005
03:23 PM EDT (19:23 GMT)
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Ryan Newman paid a visit to the Arizona Animal Welfare League on Wednesday while in town for the Subway Fresh 500 race, which will be held at the Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 23. Newman toured Phoenix's largest and oldest no-kill animal shelter with his wife, Krissie, and executive director of the Ryan Newman Foundation, Rosalie De Fini. The Newmans established the Ryan Newman Foundation in January 2005 to support companion animal welfare, wildlife preservation and conversation, and college scholarships for auto racers. "Ryan Newman has a tremendous reputation, not only in the NASCAR circuit, but in communities and with animal welfare organizations throughout the country for his love and dedication to homeless animals," said Betty Welton, Arizona Animal Welfare League President and CEO. "When we knew he would be coming to Phoenix for the April NASCAR races, we invited him to visit our no-kill shelter to see firsthand how his efforts, and those of other caring individuals like him are making a positive difference in bringing awareness to the issue of animal overpopulation, the need for spaying and neutering, and the humane efforts of animal welfare groups everywhere whose mission is to place these animals into loving, lifetime homes." The mission of the Arizona Animal Welfare League is to provide excellent care, protection and loving compassion for the life of the animals entrusted to the shelter and to take a leadership role in promoting humane values for the benefit of all animals and people. More than 2,145 dogs and cats were adopted from the AAWL in 2004. That figure is a record high for the shelter and equates to a 23 percent increase over the total 1,739 adoptions in 2003. Newman donated an autographed life-size standee, which the AAWL plans to auction off at their fall fundraiser. "It's obvious that they are knowledgeable about animal sheltering and that they care for the animals very well," Newman said after touring the AAWL's shelter. "Their adoption programs are really innovative. I especially liked the new outdoor play area they built so the dogs can be exercised and socialized daily. That's important for both the animals and for adopters." "I love it!" Krissie Newman said. "This is one of the nicest shelters we have visited. The staff, volunteers and board members we met were so nice and very passionate about their mission. I was impressed with how clean the shelter was and how happy all the animals were." While in town, the Newmans are planning the Ryan Newman Foundation Benefit Dinner and Auction, which will be held in Scottsdale on November 11 prior to the Checker Auto Parts 500 race to be held at the Phoenix International Raceway on November 13. Proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the nonprofit Ryan Newman Foundation, which will donate a portion of the proceeds back to Phoenix area animal welfare organizations. "During our foundation's first year our main goal is to build on the endowment we started," Krissie Newman said. "Interest from the endowment will be used annually to provide grants to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of animal welfare, and wildlife preservation and conservation, as well as college scholarships for auto racers. The endowment will benefit organizations across the nation. Our Phoenix dinner and auction will fund our foundation endowment while benefiting local animal welfare groups. We are grateful for the support we have received from folks here in Phoenix, and it's important to Ryan and I to give back to the community." For more information about the Ryan Newman Foundation, visit www.ryannewmanfoundation.org. For more information about the Arizona Animal Welfare League, visit www.aawl.org. | 
