New York City Socialite Tinsley Mortimer

New York City socialite and handbag designer Tinsley Mortimer, along with Madison Avenue handbag boutique Samantha Thavasa, will host a private event Oct. 13 to celebrate American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month®, observed annually in October. The event will kick off a fundraising effort to help abused and neglected animals through the organization’s Second Chance® Fund. Held at Samantha Thavasa’s only retail location in the United States — 965 Madison Ave. in New York City — the event will be attended by Mortimer and her invited guests; American Humane Association representatives, guests and President and Chief Executive Officer Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D.; and representatives from American Humane Association member shelter Bideawee (of New York City and Long Island), accompanied by several dogs available for adoption. From Oct. 13 through 31, 2010, Samantha Thavasa will donate 10 percent of sales at its Madison Avenue store — including purchases made via telephone and email — to the Second Chance Fund, a program of American Humane Association, the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals. The fund helps local shelters and rescue groups across the U.S. afford to treat and care for abused and neglected animals so they can recover and be adopted into loving homes. “It is my honor to raise awareness and money for the thousands of animals abused each year in this country who need a second chance at life,” said Mortimer, whose handbag line is carried by Samantha Thavasa stores in New York and Japan. “Every animal has the right to live a happy and healthy life. Please join me in supporting this great and vital cause.” “American Humane Association greatly appreciates Ms. Mortimer’s compassion and enthusiasm in serving as a spokesperson for our Second Chance Fund,” Dr. Ganzert said. “We thank her and Samantha Thavasa for their support of Adopt-A-Dog Month and their contributions to our fund. When abused or neglected animals are rescued, nursed back to health, and adopted into a forever home — benefiting both people and pets — it warms the heart and underscores the vital role of human-animal interaction in our society.” Anyone interested in making a purchase between Oct. 13 and 31 to support the Second Chance Fund can visit the Samantha Thavasa store in New York City or can browse the wide selection of items online at www.samanthathavasausa.com and order via phone or email. Direct donations to American Humane Association’s Second Chance Fund can be made anytime at www.americanhumane.org/donate. About American Humane Association Since 1877, the historic American Humane Association has been at the forefront of every major advancement in protecting children, pets and farm animals from abuse and neglect. Today we’re also leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role in society. As the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.replicashermes.com today.