Presents 4 Pets Charity Campaign

Homeless animals in local animal shelters will soon have a more comfortable life, thanks to the fourth annual Presents 4 Pets collection campaign, held in support of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (November 6th  – 12th, 2011). As part of the national Presents 4 Pets campaign, professional pet sitters across the country are sponsoring local campaigns in coordination with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). 

As an NAPPS member, my business, Paws and Kisses Pet Sitting Service, LLC is hosting the 2011 Southern Connecticut Presents 4 Pets campaign, to benefit homeless animals in our community. The goal of Presents 4 Pets is to help pets living in animal shelters by providing pet care items desperately needed to help keep shelters operational, and animals comfortable and safe.

The Southern Connecticut Presents 4 Pets campaign begins on August 1st and runs until the first week of November. As part of this campaign, Paws and Kisses and other NAPPS campaign hosts across the country are reaching out to their clients and the local community and encouraging them to collect and donate pet care products for this worthy cause. Items such as pet food, treats, toys, blankets, towels, rugs, beds, leashes, collars, and cat litter are all being sought. 

Through this program, we seek to generate awareness of community animal shelters and rescue organizations and the important role they serve.

“This is a great opportunity for all animal lovers, pet owner or not, to get involved and make a difference. The donations collected will support shelters and rescue groups and possibly save lives," commented Cynthia Socha of .

Last year, we collected over $ 7,000 worth of items that were donated to local shelters. We would like to help even more animals in need by beating last year’s collection total.

Members of the public can get involved by collecting and donating pet care items during the campaign. During the campaign, donation boxes will be in place in local businesses to collect the donations. You can visit the campaign website at www.p4pct.org for details on how you can help.  Local businesses, condo associations, vets, etc. can get involved by hosting a donation box. If someone is interested in donating or in hosting a Presents 4 Pets donation box at their location, just give me a call at 203-922-2643.

Presents 4 Pets volunteers, including ‘Raffi the Rescue Dog’ will be collecting donations in person at the upcoming Applause for Paws event, to be held on September 10th, 2011 at The Riverwalk on Canal Street in Shelton. Applause for Paws, also known as Responsible Dog Ownership Day, is sponsored by the Trap Falls Kennel Club. It is a fun-packed event, with vendors, K-9 displays, agility contests, kid’s activities and so much more! Visit the event website for details at http://trapfalls.org/Club_Events.html Raffi the Rescue Dog will be available for pictures with your dog at this event. 

All pet care items collected and funds raised during the 2011 Southern CT Presents 4 Pets campaign will be donated to local animal shelters and rescue groups.

For more information, contact Mandy Oram by phone at 203-922-2643

Email:  arianowl@yahoo.com

Event website:  www.p4pct.org. 

Editor's note: The original version of this article, posted 2:42 a.m., has been revised to reflect Mandy's first-person perspective.