MUTUAL RESCUE - New National Movement to Focus on the Life-Saving Bond Between People and Pets

    SAN JOSE, CA, February 02, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Building on the highly successful "Eric & Peety" film (www.MutualRescue.org/Film/Eric-Peety) released last Fall, Humane Society Silicon Valley launches a national animal/human welfare movement called "Mutual Rescue" to challenge us to rethink the reasons why one should adopt a rescue pet, while stepping up its efforts to increase pet adoptions from local animal shelters.

Through a series of powerful films to be released quarterly in 2017, Mutual Rescue wants to build understanding of the important connection between people and pets - and is calling on millions of human and animal lovers alike to take action, spread the word and offer up their personal stories.

Supporting animal rescue has countless benefits and can make peoples' lives better. In fact, pet adoption is proven to assist humans with a broad range of challenges including obesity, grief, physical rehabilitation and suicide prevention. Yet, of the $373 billion given to charity in the U.S. in 2015, less than 1 percent goes to animal-related causes. The fact is, too many animal shelters lack critical funding, volunteer and adoption support. Mutual Rescue redefines the value of supporting animal welfare because adopting a rescue pet also deeply enriches the lives of humans.

Today's Mutual Rescue film release is "Kylie & Liza" (www.MutualRescue.org/Film/Kylie-Liza). We meet young Kylie while she is battling childhood cancer. When Kylie asks for a kitten to comfort her during her treatment, a local rescue organization introduces her and her family to Liza, a rescue kitten in need of a loving home. We quickly learn how Liza brings comfort during a period of profound sadness.

"Mutual Rescue asks Americans to reevaluate why they should prioritize giving to local animal rescue shelters," says Carol Novello, Mutual Rescue's CEO. "When a person gives to animal rescue, that person is improving the quality of life for an animal for sure, but also as important, he or she is contributing to improving the human condition."

The "Kylie & Liza" film launch follows on the successful heels of "Eric & Peety," a film viewed more than 70 million times on social media and broadcast channels across the globe. Here, Eric was morbidly obese at the time he adopted an overweight rescue dog named Peety. Seeking to reclaim his health, he began walking with Peety, who eventually inspired Eric to run marathons. Eric reminds us that he's "here today because a shelter dog saved [his] life."

As a first step, Mutual Rescue asks people to:

- Watch and share "Mutual Rescue's Kylie & Liza" (www.MutualRescue.org/Film/Kylie-Liza)
- Adopt a pet at a local animal rescue shelter

People can also donate to the "Mutual Rescue's Kylie & Liza Fund" established in Kylie's honor to support both childhood cancer research and local pet adoption. Mutual Rescue has received major funding from PetSmart Charities.

Mutual Rescue is a national movement to bring awareness to the understanding that when you give to animal rescue, you are enriching the lives of both people and pets, while at the same time, providing crucial support to increase pet adoption. Mutual Rescue was created by Humane Society Silicon Valley, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the cause of animal welfare nationwide. Visit www.MutualRescue.org.

To request an interview with a Mutual Rescue spokesperson, please contact Executive Publicist Michelle Tennant Nicholson at [email protected] or 828-749-3200. For more information, visit the online press kit www.MutualRescue.OnlinePressKit247.com, and the public site www.MutualRescue.org.

# # #