Statesville, NC – (January 30, 2012) – NASCAR Driver Ryan Newman and wife Krissie began discussing plans for an animal rescue facility in Iredell County a few years ago, and the first step in the process took place a couple of miles from their home in Statesville, NC.
Ryan and Krissie Newman Break Ground on Animal Rescue Facility in Iredell County
The facility is called “Rescue Ranch” and will lay on 87 acres off NC Highway 21 and has been a dream of Krissie’s. The Ranch will have similarities to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. where a good friend Mike Arms is the President. The facility will have a number of phases; the first consisting of offices and classrooms. Future phases will consist of a boarding facility, veterinary clinic, horse stalls and pastures, riding trails, educational camps and a small animal and creepy/crawly building.
“Building a rescue facility has been something I’ve wanted to do for some time,” said Krissie who is the vice president of the Ryan Newman Foundation and sits on the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of Iredell County. “Ryan and I are big animal lovers and want to educate people, mainly children why it’s important to spay and neuter their pets, but also give them the tools on how to care for pets. Giving the opportunity to see different animals and critters allows children to have a better understanding about being a caregiver and also helps with self esteem and the way they might treat people as they get older.”
Leading pet food maker, Iams, is a proud supporter of the Ryan Newman Foundation. Both organizations are dedicated to helping animals.
“The entire team at Iams is thrilled to see the Rescue Ranch become a reality for the Ryan Newman Foundation and for the many animals that will benefit from this amazing facility,” said Jason Taylor, external relations manager for P&G Pet Care. “Like the Newman’s, we share a passion for improving the lives of animals and congratulate them on today’s ground breaking.”
The first phase of the project has been awarded to Mooresville based R.L. Smith, Inc. owned by Ronnie Smith. The projected completion date is early fall 2012.
“My wife Lee and I have been supporters of the Ryan Newman Foundation from the beginning,” Smith noted. “We are huge animal lovers and honored to be part of Rescue Ranch and the building of phase one. The facility is something that I believe our county will be proud of and I commend Ryan and Krissie for their efforts.”
Non-profit 501c (3) paperwork is being established. Until all paperwork is complete, the facility will be placed as a project of the Ryan Newman Foundation which the Newman’s started in 2005. Grants will be applied for to maintain many of the facilities programs.
Source: Ryan Newman Foundation, Press Release
