Mill Valley, CA - This Thursday, eighteen dogs and two rabbits rescued from horrific conditions of neglect and abuse came to the Bay Area in search of new homes. In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international nonprofit animal protection organization based in Mill Valley, rescued the animals from various cruelty and neglect cases over the past several years. The animals have been living at IDA’s Project Hope sanctuary in Mississippi, but are hoping to find permanent loving homes in the Bay Area.

In an effort to make room for more rescued and abused animals at the sanctuary, Doll Stanley-Branscum, Director of Project Hope, will be driving the dogs and rabbits to the Marin Humane Society, the Peninsula Humane Society, and the Santa Clara Humane Society. These shelters have graciously agreed to offer these special animals to loving homes in the Bay Area. Two Bay Area volunteers have flown out to Mississippi to provide assistance with transporting the animals.

“We decided to bring these animals who have suffered so much to the Bay Area because of the region’s large number of compassionate people,” Ms. Stanley-Branscum said. “We are deeply appreciative of the humane societies’ aiding us in our efforts to help find homes for these animals and to bring compassion and justice to the animals of rural Mississippi.”

“The status of animals as disposable property, and people’s ignorance and insensitivity, have contributed to animals being abused and neglected,” said IDA President Elliot M. Katz, a veterinarian. “After all that these animals have been through, we are eager to restore their hope in people by placing them in homes with loving guardians.”

People interested in adopting a Project Hope-rescued animal are encouraged to visit the Marin Humane Society, the Peninsula Humane Society, the Santa Clara Humane Society. To see pictures of the animals available for adoption at Project Hope, please visit http://www.project-hope.net/sanctuary.html.