Best Friends Animal Society, No More Homeless Pets in Utah Will Join Together in Howly Muttrimony Sunday Morning

Elegant Dog Wedding Signals Animal Welfare Group Merger

What could be more romantic this time of year than a wonderful wedding where no detail has been overlooked? The bride, a chunky lab named Sophie, will be stunning in her No More Homeless Pets wedding gown, and her gorgeous groom, a pit bull terrier named Charlie will be charming in his Best Friends Animal Society tuxedo. The precious pooches' special ceremony will take place tomorrow, Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the No More Homeless Pets in Utah office, 8029 S. 700 E., Sandy.

The wedding of Sophie and Charlie represents the merger of two prominent Utah animal welfare organizations who have almost identical missions and have closely affiliated for the past decade. No More Homeless Pets in Utah officially becomes part of Best Friends Animal Society, the Kanab-based national welfare organization that was founded in 1984.

By merging, the two organizations are combining resources and aligning the volunteers and supporters of both organizations, helping to expand the scope of programming for spay and neuter, adoptions, events and other lifesaving activities.

The darling dogs will be wed under a lovely, lighted arch adorned with tissue bells and heart garlands. Gerber daisies fill every vase and each table is embellished with candles and rose petals. The canine newlyweds will enjoy a delightful dog-friendly peanut butter/banana wedding cake and will toast their nuptials with a sip of sparkling cider from a giant champagne glass.

A custom canine ceremony and vows have been written for the waggy wedding and group of giddy guests will witness the exquisite event, offering their best wishes and hopes that the two live yappily ever after.

The happy hounds won't be producing puppies. Alas, they're spayed and neutered.

"Together, we'll be better, stronger and more able to focus our combined efforts on saving even more lives," said Gregory Castle, Best Friends' chief executive officer. "We believe we can and will reach our goal of No More Homeless Pets even sooner."

Over the past 10 years, No More Homeless Pets in Utah has saved more than 100,000 lives through innovative, model programs. Super Adoption and Strut Your Mutt events that were created and proven successful here in Utah have now been held in New York and California, raising awareness and finding homes for hundreds more homeless pets. Statewide spay/neuter and trap/neuter/return (TNR) programs are saving lives in communities throughout Utah, and are being replicated all over the country. Together animal groups have reduced the euthanasia of animals in Utah shelters by 50 percent.

Best Friends is a national organization with a national mission, but as a program of Best Friends, the Utah staff of No More Homeless Pets will continue to focus solely on Utah dogs and cats and work towards making Utah a no-kill state. About Best Friends Animal Society®

About Best Friends Animal Society®

Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit 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 sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of supporters and community partners across the nation.

To become a fan of Best Friends Animal Society on Facebook: //www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

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