"Ask Me" Limited Edition Indiana-PAW Merchandise. Designed to encourage citizens to ask you how they can help homeless Indiana pets.

Friends,

We're writing to ask that you use your educated voice to help Indiana's homeless pets. We've just created a new way for you to prompt people to allow you to educate them, so they too can help Indiana's forgotten animals.

We have designed five limited-edition Indiana-PAW items (at right) that invite people who see you to: "Ask me how you can help homeless pets in Indiana." We ask you to consider purchasing one of these items (which have been specially priced AT COST - Indiana-PAW receives NO PROFIT from your purchase) and wearing it at the office for your next Casual Friday, or around your family and friends during the holiday season. Then, when folks ask you how they can help, we encourage you to offer them tips:

1. Spay/Neuter Your Pet. More than 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in U.S. shelters every year. Spaying/neutering your pet avoids adding to pet overpopulation. If you need information about assistance, visit www.indiana-paw.com.

2. Adopt Your Next Pet. Every day in Indiana, shelters are forced to euthanize healthy animals who have not been adopted. Make adoption your first option. Visit www.indiana-paw.com for a "Super Database" of 300+ shelters and breed-specific rescue groups where you can adopt a terrific pet.

3. Support Local Animal Shelters And Rescue Agencies. Volunteer at and donate supplies to your local shelters and rescue groups. Visit www.indiana-paw.com for a "Super Database" listing phone numbers, addresses and websites for shelters and rescue groups in your neighborhood.

4. Join The Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster." If you'd like to make an immediate impact in saving animals' lives, join the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster," and we'll match you with shelters and rescues who need temporary homes for animals who are at risk for euthanasia. If you can't foster animals, learn about our other volunteer opportunities at our website.

5. Use Indiana-PAW's Educational Programs. Indiana-PAW's Education Coordinator, Carolyn Valachovic-Monroe, puts on programs to adults and children on topics related to animals. She or another Indiana-PAW representative will put on a program for your group. Additionally, Indiana-PAW has a series of "Points To PAWnder" flyers covering basic pet health and behavior topics, designed to help people avoid giving up their pets.

6. Spread The Word. Encourage everyone you know to join thi s Indiana-PAW e-mail distribution list, so they'll receive these newsletters and other information that will keep them looped in to the Indiana animal welfare community. And, add the Indiana-PAW banner to your website, so visitors can click on it and come directly to our site.

7. Open Your Wallet. Animal shelters and animal welfare groups operate on shoestring budgets. Many groups - including Indiana-PAW - are funded SOLELY by private donations from people like you. We invite you to visit our website to see the work being done for homeless Hoosier pets, and if you like what we're doing, please consider supporting Indiana-PAW, or one of the 300+ shelters and rescue groups in the State.