IFAW’s Katie Touhey Receives Red Cross Animal Adult Hero Award
(Yarmouth Port, MA – 6 March 2008) – Katie Touhey, IFAW’s (International Fund for Animal Welfare - www.ifaw.org) Emergency Relief Manager for Marine Mammals will receive the Animal Adult Hero Award at the American Red Cross Sixth Annual Heroes Breakfast at the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis on March 7, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 am.
Touhey and her team of four full-time staff joined IFAW last summer after working as a separate organization for nearly ten years. The stranding network, which has a dedicated corps of more than 350 local volunteers, responds to approximately 500 reports of stranded marine mammals each year in and around Cape Cod.
“We are proud to have Katie leading IFAW’s stranding work,” said A.J. Cady, IFAW’s Director of Animals in Crisis and Distress. “Together we will rescue more whales, dolphins and seals and prevent future marine mammal strandings on an international level.”
When the Cape Cod Stranding Network was founded in 1998, Katie was one of two original employees. She dedicates her time to stranding response, research, education and conservation. In addition to here hands-on heroism, Katie’s years of study and research have resulted in the development of a mass stranding prevention program to avert strandings before they happen. The hope is to use this successful program as a model for other stranding hot spots around the world through IFAW’s global emergency relief network.
IFAW’s Cape Cod Stranding Network and its many dedicated, trained volunteers will continue to respond to all reports of stranded marine mammals on Cape Cod and southeastern, Massachusetts.
The master of ceremonies will be Peter Meyer, Publisher of the Cape Cod Times and awards will be presented by community members. For tickets, visit www.capecodandislandsredcross.org or call 508-775-1540
About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW works around the globe to protect animals and habitats promoting practical solutions for animals and people. To learn how you can help, please visit www.ifaw.org
For media-related inquiries, contact:
Chris Cutter (IFAW, U.S.)
Tel: +1 (508) 744-2066, +1 (508) 737-4623
Email: ccutter@ifaw.org
Kerry Branon (IFAW, U.S.)
Tel: +1 (508) 744-2068, +1 (508) 776-9872
Email: ccutter@ifaw.org
| 
