Allstate Good Hands Fund Life-Saving Paws; Allstate Foundation Gives Grant to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

ENCINO, Calif. -- The Allstate Foundation announced today that it has awarded a grant of $10,000 to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) to "adopt" Ranger, a 4-year-old Border Collie who has trained to become a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified search dog.

Allstate is in the business of helping people recover after losses. "Many of our customers have seen first hand the devastation disasters can inflict on communities," said Allstate's regional vice president in California, Hank Barge. "Consequently, the company dedicates much of its Foundation dollars and other philanthropic grants to promote safe and vital communities. Search dogs like Ranger can mean the difference between life and death for victims of disasters. We are proud to make our communities safer by supporting the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation."

"Because we receive no government funding, we rely entirely on the generosity of supporters like the Allstate Foundation to provide trained dogs at no cost to fire departments," said Wilma Melville, SDF Founder and Executive Director. Ranger and his handler Deresa Teller are stationed at the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

On Friday, April 15, 2005, Deresa and Ranger will face off against search dog teams from across the country in the Metacam(R) IRONDOG(sm) Competition -- a friendly, competitive contest between teams in which deployment skills are further perfected and team work between dog and handler are enhanced. The competition is comprised of six (6) components -- Packaging/Tripod relay, Long Crawl, Bulls eye, Direction Control, Agility/Booties and Down Stay with distractions. These components incorporate the skills needed by a canine disaster search team and each component will be scored and/or timed.

SDF is responsible for training 30% of the nation's advanced canine search teams with the support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and over 83% of California's in conjunction with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Many of the dogs were once abandoned in shelters and now are helping to save lives -- from rescued to rescuer. SDF estimates training a dog to Advanced FEMA-certification averages $10,000.

The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by the Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities," "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity," and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.