Grocery Stores Help Pet Rescue Organizations

The fundraising program was held for four weeks at Weis Markets stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia and ended Memorial Day weekend. Weis Markets’ store in Bethlehem, PA stood out with $4,347 raised for a pet shelter in Coopersburg, PA called Pets in Distress. In addition to the efforts for raising money, 64 stores held pet adopt-a-thons in partnership with local shelters.

Weis Markets, a series of grocery stores throughout five states, recently reported that $191,000 was raised for the Paws for Pets program, a total that almost doubles the amount collected last year. This money assisted 94 local shelters and rescue organization in donations as well as pet supplies.

Compared to the $98,000 raised in 2011, Paws for Pets nearly doubled this total in 2012. “This year, we added a number of donation options,” said the Director of Public Relations, Dennis Curtin. He attributes that improvement to the increase in funds collected. The new donation options included allowing customers to donate after purchasing vouchers for $1, $3, and $5 and selling $1 bracelets for the cause.

Curtin acknowledged the hard work of the staff too. “Many of our associates worked hard to increase overall awareness of our program; we are grateful for their efforts and we are also grateful to our customers for their generosity at a time when animal rescue agencies are seeing record demand,” he remarked.

Paws for Pets and Weis Markets not only collected money, but supplies for shelters too. Customers gave the organization pet items such as food for various animals, cat litter, collars and leashes, harnesses, toys, treats, food and water bowls, pet shampoo, nail clippers, brushes and combs. Supplies for cleaning and upkeep at shelters were donated as well. This included bleach, dishwashing liquid, mops and brooms, towels, washcloths, and latex-free powder gloves.

If this trend continues, who knows how much money Paws for Pets could raise for their cause. Hopefully, the funds raised will continue to increase in coming years and help support shelters and rescue organizations.