Cyclist to raise funds for People for Pets

Local massage therapist Jennifer Bean will cycle the west coast this summer to benefit Vernon County People for Pets. On her bicycle, she will travel approximately 1,500 miles along the well-known Pacific Coast Highway. Bean has teamed up with Vernon County People for Pets in an effort to raise more than $1,500 -- 100 percent of which will go to VCPFP, and secure donations of 1,500 pounds of pet food, to be donated to the charity.

Vernon County, Mo., has been combating the massive pet overpopulation, mostly due to a proliferation of unspayed female and unneutered male dogs and cats in the area. The charity already partners with local veterinary clinics to offer low-cost spay and neuter procedures. Bean, a veteran cyclist, has a broad history with charity bicycle tours. In 2002 and 2004 she made Atlantic to Pacific coast tours of the United States both benefiting Habitat for Humanity. She earned a Silver medal at the Missouri State games cycling competition and most recently did 'Ride the Rockies' benefiting various Colorado charities. Bean has logged more than 10,000 miles and has ridden through 30 states. Asked how the idea for the tour came about, Bean said, "I was training for a marathon last year when the idea hit me. I have always been an advocate for responsible pet ownership and locally we have a huge problem, I felt compelled to do something. This will be a good start but ideally I think we need to be partnering with local schools to teach our youth the importance of spaying and neutering pets."

Vernon County People for Pets is always in need of food, supplies, volunteers, and foster homes to house animals in an effort to place them in a permanent location. When the sponsorship goal of $1,500 is met, this will be the single biggest fundraiser for VCPFP thus far. Bean lives in rural Vernon County with her husband Jason and is an active member of her church. She runs Jennifer Bean Massage in Nevada and Lamar.

To donate food or supplies, deliver items to the Nevada Auto Mall showroom. To sponsor the summer bicycle tour, contact VCPFP at (417) 448-9799 or Jennifer Bean at (417) 684-0819 to make a tax-deductible, zero overhead donation.

For more information log on to Facebook.com and search: The Missouri Pet Project or go to www.vcpfp.org