DATE: Wednesday, August 13, 1997            TAG: 9708131033

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   25 lines

ALLEN ASKS VIRGINIANS TO BE KIND TO ANIMALS

Gov. George F. Allen has declared August to be ``Virginia is for Animal Lovers Month,'' in a play on the state's longtime tourism slogan, ``Virginia is for Lovers.''

The declaration came in response to a request by actress Rue McClanahan, honorary chairwoman of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which moved to Norfolk about a year ago.

``During this month, all citizens are urged to promote the humane treatment of all animals,'' the declaration says.

It notes several notable Virginia animal lovers, ``including generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, who loved their respective horses, Traveler and Little Sorrell.''

``There's just so many people in the commonwealth who love and protect animals, we were just hoping for a little recognition for those people,'' PETA spokesman Joey Penello said Tuesday. ``We were thrilled that he gave us a whole month.''

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