Local Media Contact: Julia Orr / 707.666.1515/ Julia@jamesonrescueranch.org

Lisa Levinson / 215.620.2130/ lisa@idausa.org

YOUR COVERAGE IS INVITED

Animal Rescues Come Together to Remember

Animals Lost in the Napa & Sonoma Fires

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5OOCm9LPCCk

Calif. (December 17, 2017) – A Memorial Ceremony for animal victims of the deadly fires that ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties in October is to take place on Sunday, December 17th at the Silverado Resort. The event is organized by local animal welfare groups, Napa Valley based Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch and San Rafael based, In Defense of Animals.

Board of Supervisors Chair, Belia Ramos will officiate along with Captain Jake White (CalFire), Dr Claudia Saunders (Napa CART – Napa Community Animal Response Team, instrumental in leading animal search and rescue during the fires), Suscol County Executive Board, Director Charlie Toledo (Towa) and well-known Author/Speaker Dr Will Tuttle.

Date: Sunday, December 17, 2017

Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Silverado Resort & Spa, 600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, 94558, Tel: 707.257.0200, https://www.silveradoresort.com

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/274021189787659/

“We were all deeply affected by the Napa and Sonoma Fires and many animals lost their lives during this tragedy. As an animal rescue organization we wanted to recognize those companion animals and the wildlife who died and remember them as an integral part of our community and family,” said JARR Co-Founder Monica Stevens, “So many of those animals who died are never mentioned and we felt it important to honor their lives.”

During the ceremony, participants will be invited to share stories and process their grief for the wild and domestic animals who lost their lives in the blaze. Participants are encouraged to bring photos and mementos of animals who passed for a communal blessing officiated by local clergy. 

"Our goal is to provide a forum for the community to process their feelings and heal their grief from the incredible losses they suffered as a result of the fires,” said board-certified psychiatrist and In Defense of Animals President, Marilyn Kroplick, M.D. “This ceremony will help us all rise from the ashes of despair, bless those who have passed, and heal the ravaged land we and the animals depend on.”

About JARR

Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch is a no-kill rescue and sanctuary in the Napa Valley for companion and farmed animals in need. The nonprofit provides transitional and permanent shelter, adoption and rescue services, humane education, animal advocacy, and is committed to ending animal hunger, cruelty, and overpopulation.

JARR also collaborates with and acts as a liaison for various local animal rescue groups.

About IDA

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in San Rafael, California with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare and habitats through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org