Best Friends Animal Society New Spokesperson Rachelle Lefevre

New Moon’ Star Rachelle Lefevre Films Compelling TV Spots as National Spokesperson

‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ -- Best Friends Animal Society

Actress Rachelle Lefevre and her friend, Johnny, a rescue dog, will be urging people to “Adopt Don’t’ Shop” in a series of public service announcements for Best Friends Animal Society that makes its debut Dec. 1 in New York’s Times Square on the jumbo video billboard, Geoffrey Tron.

Lefevre, who appeared in the movie “Twilight,” as well as its soon-to-be-released sequel, “New Moon,” is the star of 30-second and 60-second spots that will be distributed to television and radio stations across the country. She will also serve as national spokesperson for Best Friends’ Puppies Aren’t Products campaign, which draws attention to the fact that pet shops around the country are selling puppies that come from large commercial breeding operations known as “puppy mills” with deplorable conditions.

“I’m delighted to help speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Lefevre said. ”Ever since I rescued my own dog I have wanted to encourage people to do the same. Working with Best Friends is the perfect way to do this and I’m excited and proud to be working with an organization so dedicated to animal kindness.”

The public service announcements will be distributed to approximately 1,400 television and cable stations, plus another 1,250 radio stations. Best Friends Animal Society is known for its leading initiatives and community programs in animal welfare, as well as operating the largest companion animal sanctuary in the United States.

“Puppy mills are directly linked to pet overpopulation in the United States, which contributes to the fact that approximately 4,000 dogs are put down in shelters every day,” Lefevre said. “We hope that our message of ‘adopt don’t shop’ resonates with the general public so we can bring that number down substantially.”

The goal of Best Friends' Puppies Aren't Products campaign is to reduce the number of homeless animals by fighting against puppy mills and irresponsible breeding. Best Friends has been active in holding peaceful demonstrations at pet stores to educate consumers about the inhumane conditions in puppy mills with the goal of teaching the general public about puppy mills and the pet stores that receive their puppies from these facilities.

“We are so fortunate to have Rachelle giving a voice to the animals as our national spokesperson,” said Vicki Kilmer-Rinker, director of marketing for Best Friends Animal Society. “Our goal is to increase awareness of where pet store puppies come from, especially as we approach the holiday season when so many families think about adding a family pet.”

Lefevre, who has a wide range of credits in movies and television, moved to Los Angeles when she landed the female lead in the Fox comedy series “Life on a Stick.” She went on to appear in multiple episodes of acclaimed series “Boston Legal” and “Swingtown.” On the big screen, she appeared in a diverse range of roles including opposite Stephen Dillane in the Holocaust era drama “Fugitive Pieces” based on the international best-selling novel by Anne Michaels and comedy “The Pool Boys” opposite Tom Arnold and Matthew Lillard. Lefevre will be seen next in “Casino Jack,” opposite Kevin Spacey and “Barney’s Version” opposite Paul Giamatti.

In addition to working with Best Friends Animal Society, Lefevre is involved with the literacy organization “School on Wheels” and is an “Ambassador for the Cure” with The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

About Best Friends Animal Society:
Best Friends Animal Society, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill companion animal sanctuary in the United States. Best Friends’ work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.

For more information contact:

John Polis
Best Friends Animal Society
435-644-2001 ext. 4858
johnp(at)bestfriends(dot)org

Barbara Williamson
Best Friends Animal Society
435-644-2001 ext. 4408
barbara(at)bestfriends(dot)org

Temma Martin
Best Friends Animal Society
(801) 953-8876
temmam(at)bestfriends(dot)org