CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local business leaders – including the owners and staff of Carmel Bay Company – are putting some teeth in this famed seaside tourist destination's reputation as the dog friendliest town in the country.

A "casting call" has gone out to Carmel's dogs, lured by a chance to have their mug shot included in photographer Andrew Grant's next installment of his "Rover" collection of coffee table books picturing pooches. Part of the proceeds from the book goes to animal shelters. Grant says that in addition to raising money, the series has inspired people to rescue pets.

Celebrities have gotten behind the cause.

Ellen DeGeneres promoted the book on her holiday show and gave a copy of "Rover" to Oprah for Christmas.

For its part, Carmel Bay Company, which sells Grants books, is sponsoring a fundraiser for local shelters and a "Rover" reception – pets and their two-legged pals welcome - with the author at the store this Sunday. Earlier in the day, the local landmark Cypress Inn, owned by fabled animal rights crusader actress/singer Doris Day, will host the "canine casting call" for Grant's next book.

Carmel, where actor/director Clint Eastwood once served as mayor, prides itself on its pet friendly attitude and reputation as a beautiful, quirky, thinking persons' travel destination.

Carmel Bay Company is a case in point.

"Our company, and in fact this building, has a long history of supporting the arts and causes that touch folks' hearts," said Carmel Bay Company co-owner Barney Scollan.

The store is housed in the two-story "Seven Arts Building" designed and built in 1925 by co-owner Patty Heron Scollan's grandfather Herbert Heron.  An actor, poet and one of Carmel's first mayors, Heron's bookstore served as a gathering spot for local luminaries such as writer Jack London and as a gallery for the Carmel Art Association and renowned photographer Edward Weston.  

The store remains a focal point and tourist attraction with an eclectic selection of Asian artifacts and furniture, hand-crafted jewelry, esoteric books, original paintings by top local artists, a popular women's boutique and a one-of-a-kind collection of hand-crafted furniture made from reclaimed industrial wood flooring by a small team of local artisans.  To order a Rover book, and to learn more about Carmel Bay Company and its online and in-store offerings, visit www.carmelbaycompany.com.

Media representation: Clark Miller Communications.

CONTACT: Clark Miller, 1-865-414-1908, clark@clarkmillercommunications.com

SOURCE Carmel Bay Company