Canadian comedian Carla Collins backs campaign to save dogs

WSPA campaign protects dogs and safeguards communities from rabies

TORONTO, May 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Thousands of people and millions of dogs die every year because of rabies, a 100% preventable disease.  Fear of rabies causes the mass killing of dogs all over the world but an international project from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), stops the killing and instead sets up dog vaccination clinics - protecting dogs from being killed and everyone from rabies.

Canadian comedian, television star, author and well-known dog lover, Carla Collins, recently lent her support to WSPA's campaign.  "My two dogs mean the world to me and as an animal lover I had to speak up in support of WSPA's work" said Carla Collins.  "Dogs are man and woman's best friend and WSPA's vaccination project is creating healthy communities where dogs and people can live in harmony again."

In just a few years, WSPA's humane dog vaccination programs have saved more than 300,000 dogs from cruel and unnecessary deaths.  "We work with local authorities to set up clinics where dogs are vaccinated and given a bright red collar so the community knows they are safe" said Josey Kitson, Executive Director of WSPA Canada. "We are proud to have Carla's support and to see her and her two dogs sport matching red collars.  Together we are proving that a world without rabies is not a world without dogs".

Successful vaccination clinics have been launched in Sri Lanka, Latin America, Bali, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia. Most recently, WSPA started vaccination programs in Africa and China, where human deaths from rabies are the most common.

Carla joins Canadian animal lovers from all walks of life in supporting WSPA's international efforts to stop the killing of dogs in the name of rabies.  High profile Canadian and international supporters include fashion designer David Dixon, singer Leona Lewis, comedian Ricky Gervais and international model Liisa Winkler.

QUICK FACTS

• This year, more than 55,000 people will die of rabies and over 20 million dogs will be cruelly killed in misguided attempts to stop the spread of the disease.
  
  
• Rabies costs approximately $6 billion USD a year worldwide.  A fraction of that investment can vaccinate the dog population to the immunity level necessary to prevent the spread of the disease (70% of the pack).
  
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has described such vaccination campaigns as "globally, the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people"
  

About the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
At the World Society for the Protection of Animals we have worked to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for more than 30 years.  We move individuals, organizations and governments across the globe to protect animals. Our campaign work ranges from putting animals at the heart of farming to protecting animals in disasters.  Consultative status with the United Nations means we have a unique international platform to prove that the lives of animals are inextricably linked to our own, and now more than ever is the time to stop their suffering.   For more information, visit us at www.wspa.ca; follow us on Twitter or 'Like' us on Facebook.

Image with caption: "Comedian Carla Collins supports WSPA's campaign to save dogs. (CNW Group/World Society for the Protection of Animals)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9164_PHOTO_EN_40579.jpg

SOURCE: World Society for the Protection of Animals

Elizabeth Sharpe, WSPA Communications Director at [email protected] or 416-369-0044 x111