Going the distance to help BR’s homeless dogs

Next weekend, five Baton Rouge cyclists will be competing in La Vuelta Puerto Rico, a fast-paced, 375-mile, three-day, international race. Heading up the BR to PR team is biking enthusiast Carolyn Martin. The CEO of Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s (BRAF) Commercial Properties Realty Trust became aware of the race in the course of managing her company’s property in Caribbean commonwealth.

Soon, Martin and Capital City cyclists Joey Lambert, James Rance, Don Coppola and Christian True compounded the physical challenge of training for the island event a fiscal one. The team began to seek race sponsors to raise $20,000 for another BRAF affiliate—Yelp!BR.

In 2009, BRAF convened a meeting of animal advocates to examine the cause of the city’s high euthanasia rate and to develop a citywide initiative to insure no healthy adoptable animal is euthanized. Even before a comprehensive agenda was completed, Martin and Petz Plaza owner Michael Hackett decided to take immediate action and showcase shelter dogs at shopping centers to make them more accessible to potential adopters.

In Spring 2011, the non-profit established Yelp! House, a shelter with a 50-dog capacity. Over the past two years, Yelp!BR saved more than 1,000 puppies and dogs being euthanized at East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control.

“Typically, Yelp!BR spends $400 per dog with an adoption fee of $100,” explains board member Tina Rance. So, funds raised by La Vuelta sponsorships will offset some of the rescue costs. In addition, Rance says, “[The cyclists will] bring international attention to Yelp BR! and BR by promoting both on their team jerseys and riding gear.”

By the second week in March, La Vuelta sponsorships totaled $12,000. For more information about sponsorship packages and individual donations, email [email protected].

Tina Rance will also transmit live updates from the race at the Facebook page.

Click here to see some of Yelp!BR’s adorable, adoptable dogs.

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