Pet Sitters International Raises More Than $10K for Grey Muzzle Organization

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Press release: Pet Sitters International

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers, concluded its month-long #petsittersgiveback campaign in November, raising $10,500 to benefit The Grey Muzzle Organization. The Grey Muzzle Organization is a nonprofit charitable organization that improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other non-profit groups nationwide.

PSI kicked off its initiative, which sought to both raise monetary donations and increase awareness of Grey Muzzle’s mission, on October 4. The monthlong efforts included an email and social-media campaign to promote its online fundraising page to PSI’s more than 5,000 member businesses and 30,000 online followers. The campaign concluded at PSI’s 2019 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference and 25th Anniversary Celebration, held November 2-4 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

“Through its annual grants, Grey Muzzle is giving thousands of homeless senior dogs a second chance and we are thrilled that PSI and its members were able to support these efforts,” said Beth Stultz-Hairston, PSI’s vice president and conference organizer. “Our hope is that our campaign will inspire other companies to learn more about Grey Muzzle and support their mission.”

In addition to the online fundraising page, PSI hosted a charity bingo event during its conference, which was attended by more than 100 pet sitters and raised nearly $2,000 toward the total donation. Conference keynote speaker Marika Meeks, author of “Incredibull Stella,” also donated $500 from her book sales at the event. In addition to business and pet-care topics, PSI’s conference agenda included a focus on Grey Muzzle and senior pet care. Stultz-Hairston presented a session highlighting the work Grey Muzzle is doing and the conference speaker lineup also included Grey Muzzle advisory board member Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” and Grey Muzzle president Denise Fleck.

“We appreciate Pet Sitters International’s financial support of The Grey Muzzle Organization, as well as their efforts to make both their pet-sitting members and the pet-owning public aware of our mission to improve the lives of senior dogs,” said Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of Grey Muzzle. “The monies raised will enable us to offer even more grants in the coming year.”