Leading Animal Activist Discusses Critical Rescue Needs as Euthanizations Continue to Rise

Online, July 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - SNSPost, the online channel of The Saturday Night Special, interviewed Bernie Berlin on its weekly radio broadcast. Berlin, the founder of A Place to Bark, Tennessee's largest no-kill animal shelter, discussed the widespread problems of overpopulation and an urgent call to advance rescue efforts.

Currently 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year, which averages about 1 every 8 seconds. Since accurate numbers are not well kept in many rural locations, according to Berlin, the euthanization number is likely greater.

"The problem is overpopulation," Berlin tells Saturday Night Special hosts Kevin Abud and Sal Becovic. "Animals are procreating faster than there are adoptable homes." Berlin adds that puppy mills and the costs of owning a pet, estimated at several hundred dollars a year, add to the problem. Berlin has aided in the rescue of more than 2,500 animals over the past five years, and has received three humanitarian awards on national levels.

"Bernie Berlin is a leader in animal rescue, and as supporters of her cause, we were thrilled to have her on our show," said Kevin Abud, SNSPost editor-in-chief and co-host of The Saturday Night Special. "We were honored to have Bernie share her story and provide our listeners with information on how they can help."

While a Place to Bark shelters dozens of rescue animals on a given day, the rescue may be forced to close its doors due to a lack of funding.

"I believe the power of one can save the lives of many," says Berlin. "Many people spend five dollars a day on a cup of coffee, but 10 dollars a day can save 10 dogs a year."

A podcast of the SNSPost interview featuring Bernie Berlin is now available at http://www.snspost.com/bernie-berlin/. To learn more about Bernie Berlin and A Place to Bark, visit http://aplacetobark.com.

About A Place to Bark
Established in 2001 by Bernie Berlin, A Place to Bark is Tennessee's largest no-kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of animals. A Place to Bark works primarily with animal control agencies to rescue animals from high-kill shelters and foster them until healthy. Animals are then placed for adoption through Humane Societies in various parts of the country. A Place to Bark covers all costs for the medical care of the animals with no cost passed to the Humane Societies. A Place to Bark also handles private adoptions after a strict screening process.