Veterinarians Ride 160 km to Raise Money for People and Pets Who Need It Most

TORONTO, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - This Saturday, September 11, fifty-two veterinarians and veterinary health professionals from across Ontario will embark on a cycling journey through the Milton area to raise funds and awareness for the Farley Foundation; a charitable organization that assists low-income seniors, disabled persons and women at risk of abuse* with the necessary veterinary care of their pets. 

Established in 2001, the Farley Foundation was established as a means to assist those who benefit the most from pet ownership. To date, the Farley Foundation has disbursed over $700,000 to assist over 2,400 people across Ontario who may well have been forced to give up their pets to a shelter, or in some cases, have them put to sleep.

Members of the media are invited to the Farley Foundation head office at 420 Bronte Street South in Milton where riders will gather prior to departing on their, 160km, 100km and 50 km rides.  Riders will be available for comments and photographs between 8:30am and noon.

The Ride for Farley is one of three major fundraising events held each year by the foundation and began in 2005 when a small group of veterinarians cycled through northern Ontario to raise donations. In order to be accessible to more veterinarians, the event was moved to southern Ontario last year, resulting in veterinarians raising a total of $77,000.

Farley Foundation president and one of this year's cyclists, Dr. Mark Gemmill comments, "Veterinarians not only care for the health of pets, we also help people make extremely difficult decisions about their pets welfare. Raising money for a cause that directly benefits the people who need it most, and who consider their pets to be family members is something every veterinarian can relate to on an emotional and professional level. My hope is that we continue to grow the foundation and reach out to as many people as possible who might benefit from it."

October is Fundraise for Farley month where again, Ontario veterinary clinics, supported by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, will fundraise all month long. Of the 240 participating clinics, each will fundraise in various ways including the sale of re-usable Farley shopping bags by donation through their clinics. The shopping bags, made of 80 percent recycled material are sponsored by Hills Pet Nutrition which means that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Farley Foundation.

*OVMA's SafePet Program assists women at risk of abuse who are entering women's shelters. For more information about the program, please visit www.ovma.org.

For further information:

Melissa Carlaw, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
[email protected] or 1.800.670.1702, ext. 15, www.farleyfoundation.org