Hello animal lovers and bikers, my name is Lauren. I thought I might shed a little light on where this event is coming from and why I am putting it on.  First, you should know I am simply a Eugene resident looking for ways to make a difference in the community.  I am a volunteer at the animal shelter as well as a full-time student at the University of Oregon.  While I would love to see the shelter expand and have all the resources it needs to care for each and every abandoned and abused animal it handles, I, like most people, cannot realistically donate a fortune of time or money.  With a little effort, however, I am convinced that the community as a whole is able to make a huge difference in the lives of countless animals.

Having always been in love with animals, I would talk about volunteering at shelters and joining groups like the S.P.C.A. to show my support for the humane treatment of animals.  After watching horrifying footage on CNN of terrorists testing chemical gas on a white lab, I was set into action and started volunteering at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority in Eugene, Oregon.  Last December, I went to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos for a month and saw some of the depressing scenes of animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation that are unbelievably common around the world.  Even here in the United States, the suffering among animals is intolerable and horrifying.  Unlike many countries, however, the United States has the resources to make a difference through spaying and neutering pets to help control the population.  Having encountered countless cases of animal mistreatment both at the shelter and out of the country, I decided to take it upon myself to involve as many people as possible in an event to help promote the spaying and neutering of pets. 

            Since getting hooked on biking a few years ago in Colorado, I have participated in rides benefiting nonprofits.  I have found them to be doubly rewarding in that one gets a fair share of exercise and helps the community in some way at the same time.  I figured, what better than a bike ride to benefit the animal shelter?  The only down side for me personally is the fact that I won’t get to ride in the event!  I figure the success of the event is well worth the sacrifice.  Therefore, I urge everyone, old and young alike, to show their support for the suffering creatures of Lane County by nothing more than getting some exercise and having some wonderful fun.  I hope to see many people on June 15^th as anxious as I am to make a difference. 

Lauren L. Zavrel

Event Coordinator