Newman's Foundation to aid pet rescue efforts

Statesville, NC -- NASCAR Nextel Cup racecar driver of the #12 Alltel Dodge Ryan Newman and his wife Krissie Newman are coming to the aid of the Hurricane Katrina pet rescue efforts by making a $4,000 donation through the Ryan Newman Foundation to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Disaster Relief Fund.

Ryan Newman Foundation Executive Director Rosalie De Fini explains, "The Ryan Newman Fan Club recently held a Fun Filled Race Weekend Getaway Raffle exclusively for Fan Club members. The raffle was intended to raise money for the work of the Ryan Newman Foundation. Ryan and Krissie Newman are heartbroken about the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, and they have selected to give 100% of the proceeds from the raffle to the Hurricane Katrina pet rescue efforts."

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, The HSUS has launched a massive relief effort to rescue animals and assist their caregivers in the disaster areas. HSUS's highly trained Disaster Animal Response Teams are in New Orleans and Mississippi coordinating a multi-state animal rescue and recovery effort. HSUS has more than 200 people on the ground doing search-and-rescue and staffing temporary shelters, and have rescued hundreds of animals in the hardest hit areas of both states thus far.

Ryan Newman says, "Krissie and I have received news that large numbers of people refuse to leave their homes because they will not go with human aid groups that tell them they must leave their animals in order to be rescued themselves. Our hearts go out to those people who love their animals so much that they would put their own lives in danger to save the lives of their helpless pets. We want to help those animals and the people who love their animals too much to leave them."

Ryan Newman Fans and animal lovers are encouraged to join the Newmans by donating to the Hurricane Katrina pet rescue efforts. Donations will be distributed to organizations that are rescuing animals along the gulf coast. Donations can be made online at www.ryannewmanfoundation.org.