North Shore Animal League America and Butler Schein Animal Health, Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell to Announce 'World Mutt-i-grees® Rescue Day'

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of shelter pets across the world, also known as Mutt-i-grees®, North Shore Animal League America and Butler Schein Animal Health will ring the NASDAQ closing bell to announce "World Mutt-i-grees® Rescue Day".

The ceremony, which will take place today at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City's Times Square at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, will be streamed live.

An estimated 8-10 million animals enter shelters each year and tragically, more than half of those animals are euthanized.  The Mutt-i-grees Initiative will raise awareness of shelter animals and increase pet adoptions through a major national education effort with Yale University that will link schools across the U.S. with shelters as well as a comprehensive support program for shelters and rescue groups nationwide.  

Butler Schein Animal Health, the nation's largest distributor of veterinary biologicals, diagnostics, nutritionals, paracisiticides, pharmaceuticals, capital equipment and supplies in the United States, has partnered with the Animal League for a major cooperative buying program that helps shelters and rescue groups reduce the cost of pet and veterinary supplies.  Assisting animal welfare organizations across the nation, this program will ultimately save more pets' lives.  

Central to the mission of World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Day, John Stevenson, President of the Animal League asks all Americans to consider a sheltered animal when it comes time to obtain a pet.  "When millions more Americans make the responsible choice to Adopt – we will reduce animal cruelty and end euthanasia.  If this message can reach the entire world, imagine how many millions of lives can be saved."

As a leader in the animal health care industry and longtime supporter of the Animal League, Fred Bravo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Butler Schein Animal Health said, "Butler Schein Animal Health is proud of our long-time partnership with North Shore Animal League and congratulates the organization on the launch of 'World Mutt-i-grees Day.' We are strong supporters of the Animal League's powerful mission to save the lives of pets and we look forward to continuing to partner to 'helping health happen' for pets around the country for many years to come."  

For learn more or support World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Day visit www.AnimalLeague.org.  

About North Shore Animal League America

North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Over the past decade, the Animal League has rescued, nurtured and adopted an average of 20,000 animals each year.  Since its founding 1944, it has placed close to 1 million puppies, kittens, cats and dogs into carefully screened homes.

The Animal  League is home to the Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center, which provides 24-hour care for the sheltered pets and annually takes care of more than 10,000 outpatient visits, administers over 27,000 vaccinations, and performs over 14,000 free spay/neuter procedures for every adopted animal. For more information on North Shore Animal League America visit www.animalleague.org.

About Butler Schein Animal Health

Butler Schein Animal Health, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc., is based in Dublin, Ohio, and serves over 75% of the estimated 27,000 U.S. animal health practices.  The Company offers approximately 30,000 animal health products in stock and as special order items.  For more information, visit the Butler Schein Animal Health Web site at www.butlerschein.com.

About Henry Schein

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, is the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners.  The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices.  Henry Schein's five  businesses – North American Dental, North American Medical, North American Animal Health, International and Technology – serve more than 600,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions.  The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.  Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions. 

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 13,500 people and has operations or affiliates in 23 countries.  The Company's net sales reached a record $6.5 billion in 2009.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

SOURCE North Shore Animal League