4th annual fundraiser for America’s VetDogs underway

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PHILADELPHIA – Pet Valu, a premium pet supplies and accessories chain, is once again hosting its March fundraiser for America’s VetDogs to help place service dogs with disabled veterans. Since 2014, Pet Valu has raised over $216,500 for America’s VetDogs by donating the monthly proceeds of its special hand sanitizer bottles that attach to leashes and come in handy when cleaning up after pets.

Last year, an unprecedented showing of customer support for the VetDogs fundraiser helped Pet Valu exceed its goal by over $46,000, raising $121,500 in total. Coupled with the enthusiasm its nationwide customers have already shown this February during National Adoption Month, when 732 homeless animals were placed with loving families, and its kitty litter drive, which brought in a record donation of 36,157 bags (a value of $211,148) for local cat shelters, Pet Valu anticipates March 2017 to be the most successful month yet in its longtime partnership with America’s VetDogs.

“The work that America’s VetDogs is doing for our nation’s veterans is needed now more than ever as results continually show how valuable service dogs can be in the lives of veterans who are physically and emotionally wounded,” said Joe Dent, vice president and U.S. general manager for Pet Valu. “We are proud to be a part of a program that is making a true difference in the lives of the men and women who have served our country, and we are equally proud to have such generous and caring customers whose participation exceeds expectations each and every year.”

It costs over $50,000 to raise, train and place each dog, and America’s VetDogs provides all services completely free of charge to the veterans and first responders who are paired with them. As the organization receives no government funding, it relies solely on contributions made by individuals, foundations and businesses like Pet Valu.

“We are extremely thankful and fortunate to have generous supporters like Pet Valu,” said Katherine Fritz, director of development at America’s VetDogs. “This fundraising program not only helps raise much needed funds, it helps us raise awareness in the community about the services we provide to veterans and first responders with disabilities.”

In addition to in-store promotions, Pet Valu has been a sponsor of America’s VetDogs’ annual events like the Annapolis Run and Dog Walk and the Long Island Run and Dog Walk, and many employees from local stores show up to participate and show their support. Pet Valu has also sponsored three service dog teams, covering the entire cost of a service dog from birth to training to placement with a disabled veteran.

Staff report

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