DREXEL HILL, PA – March 23, 2010 – WellPetUSA Inc., an animal welfare nonprofit that raises funds to offset the medical expenses of rescue groups, today announced that is has awarded six grants under its Meow Bow Wow fund to reimburse animal rescue groups for medical expenses incurred in 2008.

The six grant recipients are:

• Friends of Powell Pets - Stanton, KY
• Southern Arizona Beagle Rescue – Tucson, AZ (Feline Fido Grant)
• Southern Indiana Animal Rescue – New Washington, IN (AirTran Airways Grant)
• Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue – Old Fort, NC (Botanical Animal Grant)
• Ozark Haven Rescue – Cabool, MO
• Upstate Animal Rescue Foundation of South Carolina – Townville, SC

“The mission of WellPetUSA is to raise awareness to prevent the abuse of animals in the USA. Our Meow Bow Wow fund exists to further this mission by providing much needed financial support to animal rescue groups for their rising medical costs,” said Luis Pedraja, Co-founder and member of the Board of Directors of WellPetUSA.

WellPetUSA was founded by Amber and Luis Pedraja. Originally the organization was created as an animal rescue and over the years evolved into a fundraising organization where it introduced the Meow Bow Wow fund to reimburse the medical expenses of animal rescue groups for vaccinations and spay and neuter programs. In 2008, WellPetUSA’s founder, Amber Pedraja, lost her long time battle with lymphoma cancer.

 “Donating to WellPetUSA’s Meow Bow Wow fund is an opportunity for individuals to contribute to the work that dedicated, small rescue organizations do across the nation each day,” Pedraja added. “The awarding of this Meow Bow Wow grants is a testament to Amber’s memory, her long time love of animals and the rescue organizations who tirelessly serve to protect them.”

Over 30 applications were submitted for 2008 grants. In order to qualify, organizations were required to: 1) be a non-profit organization qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 2) Receive less than $25,000 in annual contributions, 3) have a valid U.S. physical address, 4) Be actively engaged in the rescuing and re-homing of adoptable animals, 5) Be committed to reducing the unwanted animal population by supporting the spaying and neutering of adoptable companion animals. Each grant awarded was for the amount of US$500.

Individuals or corporations that wish to earmark donations to the Meow Bow Wow fund to help fulfill future grants may do so online at www.wellpetusa.org

About WellPetUSA, Inc.

WellPetUSA, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 IRS-recognized non-profit organization. From 1996 through 2000, WellPetUSA held private and public pet adoptions, collected donations and worked with numerous veterinary doctors, volunteers and organizations. In 2000, the founders and volunteers refocused the organization to concentrate in the areas of fundraising and community pet education and welfare creating The Meow Bow Wow Fund and P.E.A.T. The Meow Bow Wow Fund distributes funds to pet rescue groups to help offset medical care costs. The Pet Education, Awareness and Training (P.E.A.T.) program is designed to educate the community and pet owners about pet welfare. In 2008, WellPetUSA’s founder, Amber Pedraja, passed away from cancer. In her memory, a new fund - the Amber’s Pets Fund - was created to reimburse needy rescue groups or families for medical costs of treating a pet with cancer. For additional information, please visit www.wellpetusa.org .

**Note: Some of our grants are named for 2008 corporate sponsors.