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NEW YORK—Fans attending the July 8 Madison Square
Garden performance by the rock band Pearl Jam and legendary
punk band the Buzzcocks will have an opportunity to
purchase a custom T-shirt benefiting Rational Animal,
a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness
about homeless animals in New York and other communities.
The shirts will be sold at concession stands throughout
Madison Square Garden on the evening of the concert.
All proceeds will go towards Rational Animal’s
efforts as the media-outreach arm of the Mayor’s
Alliance for NYC’s Animals, an umbrella organization
of 40 local animal shelters and rescue groups.
For Pearl Jam’s lead singer Eddie Vedder, this
initiative is another example of how the artistic community
is mobilizing to increase awareness about this growing
problem. “Quote to come,” says Vedder.
Tony Barber, bass player and producer for the Buzzcocks
and a longtime animal-rights activist, is funding the
T-shirt project. “We wanted our tour to support
Rational Animal, which is tackling urgent issues about
animal welfare,” say Barber. “This shirt
pictures my friend “Ce-lo,” a beautiful
Argentine Mastif who was rescued in FDR Park. We hope
when people see her they will be reminded of all the
dogs and cats in shelters who need homes now.”
A limited quantity of the shirts, designed by Andrea
Purcigliotti of Damage Studios, will be made available
for sale on the web site of Rational Animal (www.rational-animal.org)
and on those of Pearl Jam and the Buzzcocks. The shirts
will also be sold at a Rational Animal fundraising event
to be held July 12 at the Lucky Cat Café in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn (245 Grand St.).
About Rational Animal
Rational Animal is a New York-based grassroots group
of volunteer media professionals, developing media campaigns
to raise awareness about animals whose lives may be
in jeopardy. Currently the group is focusing on New
York’s homeless animals encouraging people to
be more responsible in caring for animals. Among the
group’s goals are to motivate New Yorkers to adopt
from city shelters and local rescue groups and to help
prevent animal overpopulation by promoting spaying and
neutering. Currently only 20% of people seeking pets
visit shelters and 75% of animals in shelters are euthanized,
approximately 100 every day. For more information, visit
www.rational-animal.org.
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