By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Kevin E. McPherson

Be Mine on the Main Line benefits beautiful animals like this featured feline, Smudge. A 10-month old male, Smudge is terribly sweet and loving and he does not shy away from public displays of affection!

Be Mine on the Main Line will be a fabulous night of food, fun, dancing and door prizes as AroundMainLine.com, Philadelphia’s first e-magazine, kicks off the year partnering with one of our favorite causes and respected organizations, the PSPCA. The Pennsylvania SPCA is working tirelessly to continue their mission of animal rescue and support-addressing the needs of thousands of homeless animals each and every year. And, they need your support to continue to do just that. So, Be Mine on the Main Line, THE big Main Line party of the season, is set for Friday, February 6th at Blush Restaurant and Bar in Bryn Mawr (www.dineatblush.com). The festivities start at 7pm sharp!

D-Rod wants to know, ‘Where’s the party at?’ Blush Restaurant & Bar in Bryn Mawr Feb. 6th, 7pm

As many of you who know me or can see through my online magazine, my commitment to animals and animal causes is strong. I believe faithfully in having pets in my life, especially when times are tough. I grew up in a big cat family, namely because my parents have a house of beautiful old hardwood floors and antiques and it never meshed well as a dog house. About a month ago, I lost one of my most beloved and beautiful cats, Daisy, to cancer. It’s been years since I’ve had a pet pass away and I had forgotten what an emotional rollercoaster it is.

Daisy, or as we recently called her ‘Daisy Dukes’, was a great cat with her own personality and idiosyncrasies and a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude. The first fall we adopted Daisy from a local SPCA shelter she was so tiny, I wanted to call her buttercup. Daisy perched on everyone’s shoulders while we watched Birds games–eagerly cheering for Duce Staley in her own, quiet way. Daisy bled Eagles green, you could just tell. She found a way to be a part of every event or party and even squeezed into my mom’s mini vintage Christmas village in between the bottled brushed trees and cardboard houses like she was part of the actual display! Daisy was a little kitten with a lot of nerve.

But she quickly grew–Daisy was four shades of butterscotch and about 4 pounds overweight in a matter of months! My Daisy Dukes saw me through thick and thin, single and dating, skinny and pudgy, happy and sad, silly and serious and everything in between. I’m certainly going to miss her and her companionship. If you are thinking about bringing an animal into your life, we have highlighted some of the fantastic dogs and cats below that are currently available at the PSPCA downtown. Give it some thought. If you do not have a lifestyle to adopt a pet, you can still make an important contribution by attending Be Mine on the Main Line. The cover at the door is only $10, the food and music is free and you will be making an important difference by attending.

For a complete slideshow of all the animals photographed for this event, visit 6abc.com.

We will also have some fantastic door prizes from Main Line and Philadelphia businesses, many surprises and a creative animal-themed cupcake display to get you in the ‘mood’ which will be generously donated by the talented Maryellen Derr. Maryellen is president of Cakes and Candies by Maryellen and is a chocolatier and master baker. She is growing her successful business in and around the Main Line and Philadelphia region and a great, new friend to the AML family. Check out her website and delicious treats for a sneak peak at: www.cakesandcandiesbymaryellen.com.

So, look at the beautiful faces and profiles that are currently up for adoption at the PSPCA (www.pspca.org). Your next best buddy could be right here waiting for your own gift of the heart, a new home. And, feel free to share your thoughts and excitement for our event below with us in our comment section. I hope to see you all on February 6th, and please pledge to bring at least one friend with you to party the night away and make an important difference! Finally, wondering what to wear? Remember our AML motto is always: Dress to Impress, Donate to Make A Difference. Daisy Dukes, this night’s for you.

AML Publisher

Party Details

AroundMainLine.com Presents: Be Mine on the Main Line

When: Friday February 6th 7pm-11pm

Where: Blush Restaurant & Bar
24 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
610-527-7700
www.dineatblush.com

Why: To raise money and support the great work of the Pennsylvania SPCA. All proceeds benefit the PSPCA including the $10 cover charge/donation at the door.Valet Parking, Free Appetizers and Complimentary Champagne, Door Prizes, Dancing, Networking, Beautiful People and More! Thank you to WPVI/6ABC and 6abc.com for supporting our wonderful event, Be Mine on the Main Line.

PSPCA CEO Howard Nelson recently sent out a summary of the organizations 2008 efforts and accomplishments in his weekly e-newsletter on Friday, Jan 9th.

Dear Friend,

It’s hard to believe that 2008 is over. This certainly was an exciting, eventful year for the PSPCA. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and friends, the PSPCA helped over 75,000 animals in 2008.

We were able to assist more animals in need this year because of the expansion of our law enforcement unit. We now have 24 humane officers sworn in 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and are on track to have an officer sworn in every county by early 2009. Our toll-free cruelty reporting hotline, 1-866-601-SPCA, which launched at the end of January, confirmed that animal cruelty is an epidemic throughout Pennsylvania. Through November, the PSPCA had investigated almost 5,900 cases, but we know that there are many more animals across the commonwealth that need our help. We continue to rely on the public to stand up to animal abusers and report neglect and cruelty cases to us for investigation.

Tigerlilly is a brindle and white two-year old pitbull mix ready for adoption. She is intelligent, inquisitive, and loads of fun! Tigerlilly’s pastimes include long walks, sloppy kisses and the occasional flare for decorating.

Among those animals saved by our law enforcement team in 2008 were hundreds of cats rescued from the Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary in March. These cats were suffering from serious illnesses and disease, including ESCHERICHIA COLI, STAPHYLOCOCCUS, PROTEUS MIRABILUS, FELINE CALICIVIRUS, HERPES VIRUS, BORDETELLA, MYCOPLASMA FELIS and CHLAMYDOPHILAFELIS, and were living in extremely unsanitary conditions in the Tarentum, Pa., facility. Hundreds more cats were found dead in deep freezers and burial pits located on the property. Four-hundred-and-six cats were removed from and transported to the Clarion County Humane Society, a PSPCA branch that was re-opened specifically to care for the cats. After receiving extensive medical treatment from PSPCA veterinarians, 250 Tiger Ranch cats have survived, along with 11 kittens born at the Clarion facility in three litters from Tiger Ranch cats that were supposedly spayed and neutered. The case against Tiger Ranch owner Lin Marie is scheduled for trial in July 2009.

The PSPCA also intensified its investigations of Pennsylvania’s commercial breeding facilities–puppy mills–in 2008. As a result of the undercover work by a PSPCA agent, we were able to remove almost 90 dogs from the Limestone Kennels in Chester County and more than 60 animals from the Almost Heaven Kennel in Emmaus. PSPCA medical staff gave the animals much-needed veterinary care and we were able to send them to rescue and adopt them to wonderful new homes. Limestone owner John Blank had his license permanently revoked by the state Bureau of Dog Law and was placed on two years’ probation, during which time state officials will ensure that he does not own more than five personal dogs. The revocation of the Almost Heaven license is currently being appealed. Pennsylvania is known as the “puppy mill capital of the east” and we know there are many more animals suffering in these dog factories who will need our help in the coming year.

In addition to rescuing animals through expanded law enforcement operations, the PSPCA also helped Pennsylvania’s animals through our adoptions programs and our Philadelphia animal clinic. Despite the country’s economic downturn, the PSPCA’s branch adoption centers found new homes for more than 8,800 dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and other companion animals in 2008. Many of these furry and winged friends were older animals, surrendered to the shelter because their families could no longer afford to care for them or because they had been forced to move and couldn’t take their beloved friends with them. Thankfully, there are many loving people throughout Pennsylvania who were able to provide the wonderful homes these faithful companions deserve.

Give Shadow and many others a chance to find a forever home. All proceeds from Be Mine on the Main Line support the PSPCA.

The Philadelphia branch’s Rutherford Memorial Hospital treated more than 34,000 animals in 2008. Our medical staff of 39 professionals cares not only for the dogs, cats and other friends that call our shelter home while they wait to be adopted, but they also provide a necessary service for thousands of local residents, many of whom cannot afford to take their companions to a private veterinarian. The PSPCA clinic promotes wellness, while increasing the community’s access to emergency and critical care and surgical services. We are looking forward to furthering our services and reaching more patients in 2009.

2009 will prove to be even busier for the PSPCA. In December, the City of Philadelphia awarded its animal care and control contract to the PSPCA. The Animal Care and Control Team powered by the PSPCA (ACCT) started on January 1 and will provide the city with more lifesaving staff to work with foster, rescue and shelter partners to find homes for more animals; more vehicles to patrol the streets; a behaviorist to assess animals entering the shelter; and a medical team to provide necessary lifesaving treatment.

Rescuing, rehabbing and re-homing Pennsylvania’s animals in need is difficult and the PSPCA could not fulfill its mission without the support of its thousands of friends. Thank you for your assistance in 2008 and in the coming year. Have a happy, healthy and humane 2009.

All my best,

Howard R. Nelson, CEO
PSPCA

Start the New Year off right by supporting the PSPCA. Sponsor a PSPCA cat or dog waiting for adoption, buy a brick for the Dog Park at our Philadelphia branch or send a gift in honor of the animal lover in your life. Click here to learn about the many ways you can help the PSPCA.

Thank you to all of our friends who made the 2008 holiday season a happy one for the animals in our branch adoption centers. From the gifts of toys and treats to the donation of time to make special meals for our furry friends, you made this season bright for the animals that were not able to go home for the holiday.