Businesses Find Creative Ways to Help Foreclosure Pets
With more Americans struggling to pay their bills and “foreclosure pets” continuing to flood animal shelters and rescue organizations, members of the pet industry are finding creative ways to provide assistance.
OurPet’s Co. (Fairport Harbor, Ohio) will auction a 7-foot Flappy, “the world’s largest dog toy,” along with $500 worth of pet products on eBay during National Pet Week, May 4-11. Proceeds will go to a special fund for foreclosed pets administered by the Humane Society of the United States (Washington). For details, visit www.ourpets.com or www.flappydogtoys.com.
“This is a real, fully functional dog toy, not a prop or gimmick,” said Dr. Steve Tsengas, president and founder of the company. “It’s as ‘real’ as any other dog toy. We’re not sure if it squeaks, because we just haven’t come across a dog big enough to try it.”
American Humane (Denver) has a similar fund to help care for surrendered pets.
In related news, Wellness Natural Pet Food, under its WellPet Foundation (Tewksbury, Mass.), recently donated 120 tons of dog food to animal shelters and rescue organizations.
In addition, Castor & Pollux, a division of Pet Appeal (Clackamas, Ore.), created a special treat for Freekibble.com, a project started by 12-year-old Mimi Ausland from Bend, Ore., to help feed animals at her local shelter. “We share a commitment to feed pets in need, so it’s a natural,” said Shelley Gunton, founder of Castor & Pollux. The company donates to the project each time a box of treats is sold.
Finally, several “pet food pantries” have sprung up across the nation to help struggling pet owners care for their animals. [May 2009 PET AGE]
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