Best Friends Animal Society

News: 'Giving Animals a Voice Through Music'
By Amy Abern

Dex Brown and his partner, Carol Scafuro, are preparing for a river of requests for Giving Animals a Voice Through Music: The Best Friends 25th Anniversary Collection, a two-CD release featuring the likes of John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Eugene Freisen, Shelby Lynne and Neko Case.

Produced by the couple's Animal Media Foundation (AMF), this ambitious project has been two years in the making. Last month, when Best Friends announced AMF was ready to process pre-orders for the CD, e-mail requests for the CD started rushing in.

Orders have come from people in 35 states and Canada, with several people buying multiple copies, including one order for 10.

"Of course we were thrilled," Brown says. "And if what we saw in pre-orders is any indication of what to expect now that we're ready to go, well, I guess we'd better roll up our sleeves and get ready to deliver some CDs."

Half the proceeds from sales of the CD will benefit Puppies Aren't Products, Best Friends' campaign against puppy mills. AMF will distribute its share among local rescue groups in its home state of Vermont.

The CD comes with an eight-page booklet introducing people to the work of Best Friends. Artist Cyrus Mejia, a Best Friends founder, provided one of his paintings for the cover of the booklet.

The CD also comes with Best Friends-branded cards that buyers can pass along to their friends for free downloads of two songs: Jeff Oster's "Serengeti" and Neko Case's "Star Witness."

AMF, through its relationship with Nimbit, which manufactured the CD, will provide national distribution through the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. Nimbit has offered to place the CD for sale as an "end-cap" item in its CDFreedom online mall, which carries more than 6,000 artists. That means anyone who makes a purchase in the mall will be asked if they would like to add Giving Animals a Voice Through Music to their order.

Brown and Scafuro poured themselves into the making of the CD. It was no easy task choosing and coordinating the work of 24 artists from the country, folk, jazz, pop and alternative music worlds who are contributing their time, talent and energy to this endeavor.

"We've created something that I'm pretty sure no one has done before - at least in this way," Brown says. "Compilation CDs to benefit a cause is nothing new, [but] here's what's different about this release: By joining together musical forces from several disciplines, we have the ability to not only reach several niche music audiences, we can reach greater animal-welfare audiences as well."

Click here to listen to excerpts from the songs and/or buy the CD.

The love of animals and musical talent are the two common threads woven through project.

Indie rock sensation Neko Case, who contributed her original composition "Star Witness" to the CD, regularly volunteers at the Greyhound Adoption League in Tucson, Arizona.

Run Run Run's Xander Smith volunteers at the Lint Roller Party, Best Friends' annual gala fundraiser in Los Angeles. The band recorded a psychedelic rock song called "Twist" for the CD.

John Oates and Emmylou Harris have created their own animal rescues.

Big Al Anderson, named one of the top 100 guitarists of the 20th century by Musician magazine, lends the appropriately titled "Animals" to the CD. The former member of the band NRBQ is new to the world of animal welfare, but he has had a lifelong love of animals, compelling him to become a vegetarian four years ago. "I was brainwashed every time you put a hamburger in front of me," he says. "Then I sobered up and thought, 'This is crazy.'"

Even though March 11 is the official release date, the buzz surrounding Giving Animals a Voice Through Music began weeks ago. Radio stations across the country have requested copies of the CD and several newspapers have contacted Brown for interviews.

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As part of Best Friends' 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

Read Best Friends news stories about some of the artists involved:

Neko Case

Xander Smith, of Run Run Run

Jeff Oster

Emmylou Harris

Date: 3/11/2009 3:37:00 PM

Marky was more than a family member and loved one. She held a very special place in our hearts. She was one of the smartest dogs I have had the pleasure to know. She actually thought she was a person!
She gave us so much love, laughter, loyalty and was always ready to give a kiss. She truly was one of a kind.
I know she is in her doggie heaven now chasing her rabbits as she did when she was a young dog (just for fun...the rabbits were much too fast for her!).

Forever in our Hearts

I have been a member of the ASPCA for many years now. I am a large supporter of animal rights and charities.
This year I have commited myself to raise $500.00 before the end of the year to help stop Animal Cruelty. Who has not heard the story of Michael Vick and dog fighting? Puppy Mills and negligent breeders? Animal hoarders, who actually believe they are doing the 'right thing' by keeping 100's of animals in their house and neglecting them? The list goes on and on...
If you have been thinking about giving but never really have gotten around to it, here is your chance. Also, this is a place where dog and cat people can finally agree! All animals need our help.
Please click on the picture below. Thank you for your donation, on behalf of the animals!

These companies are affiliates to Best Friends Animal Society. When you shop their business they make a direct contribution to Best Friends. This money helps feed and shelter and provide the love these animals need.
These companies are offering customers some fantastic deals to shop their business. Check them out online! I'm sure you'll find something for everyone or everypet!
Please click on the sponsers logo to be redirected to their store!

Thanks again from all the animals at Best Friends!



Hush Puppies® - 50th Anniversary Celebration

To kick off its year-long 50th Birthday Celebration, Hush Puppies® will honor its world renowned icon, the Basset Hound, by giving back to support the health and well-being of animals by helping create a better world for them. Hush Puppies® is pleased to announce a fundraising campaign and partnership with Best Friends Animal Society. All proceeds from the fundraising efforts by Hush Puppies® will be donated to help fund the construction of a new building on the Best Friends sanctuary, solely dedicated to the whole-health care and development of puppies. The building will consist of a puppy pre-school, where puppies will be trained and socialized before being adopted into new, loving homes.



Prendeville Motorsports: Racing Laps for Best Friends

The Racing Laps for Best Friends program was formed in 2007 as a partnership between Prendeville Motorsports and Best Friends Animal Society. The goal of the program is to raise awareness for Best Friends through a motorsports marketing campaign by way of The Indy Pro Series and Indycar. The program joins Best Friends, corporate partners and open wheel car racing to display a collaborative, integrated effort to accomplish this goal. It is a program with a "Cause Marketing Focus and a Sports Marketing Approach." It is a way to bring Best Friends Animal Society to the American people.

For further program information and updates: www.racinglapsforbestfriends.com
www.andrewprendeville.com
www.indycar.com/pro



Designing Health, Inc. / "Missing Link"

We are proud to have Missing Link as a partner of Best Friends Animal Society. Missing Link is America's number one-selling vegetarian pet nutritional supplement that provides "the lack" in your pet's diet. We have witnessed several healing miracles of skin, fur and coat, nails, digestive and immune disorders, and have seen overall cellular health and energy restored to the animals on the product. Proceeds from the sale of every bag goes to Best Friends. Support us by supporting Missing Link Products. Available at most pet food stores and online.



TopTag Pet ID

We are the largest animal sanctuary in the country, but we are always looking for unique ways to protect even more animals. Recently we became exclusive partners with Flash Drive Publishing, Inc. The Tucson, Arizona company manufactures Top Tag Pet ID, the first complete-care USB pet ID. Think about it-all of your pet's information saved on a mini flash drive hanging right there on your pet's collar in a waterproof case. Available on the web site where 40% of your purchase benefits Best Friends!



Pet Supply Direct

Pet Supply Direct, LLC is a proud supporter of Best Friends. Shop at www.PetSupplyDirect.net and Best Friends will receive 12.5% of the net proceeds.

We understand the challenges faced by animals and the people who protect them every day. That is why we support progressive organizations like Best Friends. Pet Supply Direct carries over 10,000 pet supplies for any and all of your pet's needs. We only carry products that are safe and humane. We would never carry a product that we would not use on our own pets. You can buy great supplies for your pets and support the people on the front lines who work to make the lives of animals better.



Promoting Animal Welfare Through Arts & Entertainment

Animal Media Foundation recognizes the potential of bringing the music industry together with those dedicated to the well being of animals. In forming alliances with music and art professionals - and partnering with Best Friends Animal Society - we hope to inspire and model a creative approach to bring new avenues of support to the animal welfare movement through the Arts and Entertainment industry (with 50% of all proceeds contributed to Best Friends).

Animal Media Foundation coordinates, manages and promotes a multitude of projects ranging from CD compilations to large-scale performance events. Combining the experience and dedication of these two organizations, we provide a voice for animals everywhere.



Have Fun While Helping Homeless Pets

Best Friends is proud to partner with AnimalAttraction.com, a vibrant online community for pet lovers that shares our goal of "No More Homeless Pets." In support of this effort, not only will AnimalAttraction donate $1 to Best Friends when you sign up FREE, they'll also donate $1 for each friend you refer who joins, and $.01 every day you log-in to the site. All these donations will add up to make a big difference in the lives of homeless pets!

Join today and have fun while helping homeless pets!

Visit AnimalAtraction.com