Friends,
Welcome to the first edition of a new quarterly update from PEDIGREE Foundation. Whether you’re a donor, shelter/rescue or volunteer, we’re incredibly grateful for your partnership as we work to help more dogs find loving, forever homes – helping to end pet homelessness.
Each quarter, we’ll update you on what we’ve done, what’s ahead and how you can get involved. Despite more than 5,300 PEDIGREE Foundation grants already made to shelters and rescues, there are still millions of dogs who need help.
On behalf of homeless dogs everywhere, we appreciate you and your support!
Deb Fair,
Executive Director, PEDIGREE Foundation
2019 is Off to a Paws-itively Great Start
From the 2019 Music City St. Patrick’s Day Run to pop-up shops selling DOGS RULE.™ gear, PEDIGREE Foundation’s 2019 fundraising is off to a great start. Here’s a look at some of our key events.
We Run for Rescue
The PEDIGREE Foundation Run for Rescue team at the Music City St. Patrick’s Day Run was 135 strong and raised more than $25,000 for our grant programs. This year also included a Lucky Dog Walk, with 93 walkers and pups joining the fun.
Superbowl Champion and College Football Analyst Kevin Carter served as Grand Marshall for the event and rising country artist Jillian Cardarelli sang the National Anthem.
DOGS RULE.™ Gear Helps Dogs
PEDIGREE Foundation continues to raise funds through pop-up shops at special events selling our DOGS RULE.™ gear. In the first quarter, volunteers hosted pop-ups at Global Pet Expo, the Music City St. Patrick’s Day Run, a fundraiser golf tournament in Phoenix and various Mars Petcare company events.
All told, gear sales brought in $27,000 for the quarter. And soon we’ll have more ways for people to enjoy these great items while helping homeless dogs. We’re aiming to launch an online DOGS RULE.™ store in 2019. Stay tuned!
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
You might be surprised how much even a small donation can help homeless dogs in need. For example:
– $25 = one round of vaccinations or a bag of dog food
– $50 = one dose of flea and tick preventatives for a shelter dog
– $100 = the spay and neuter of one shelter dog
– $250 = life-saving heartworm treatment for one rescued dog
Please consider making a donation to help us help more dogs in 2019. With your help, we’re working toward a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved.
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is April 30
See how to find your new best friend in our story, “10 Tips to Consider when Adopting Your New Best Friend.” For example, consider what level of exercise and activity you’re up for, and make sure your new best friend will be on the same page. See all the tips here.
Last Call for 2019 Grant Applications
PEDIGREE Foundation’s 2019 grant cycle closes April 30. Please help us encourage shelters and rescues to apply! We plan to give more than $600,000 in grants this year to help shelters and rescues increase dog adoption rates and end pet homelessness. Apply now.
Celebrating Shelters and Ending Pet Homelessness with Hallmark Channel
In February, PEDIGREE Foundation was thrilled to be the grant sponsor for Hallmark Channel’s American Rescue Dog Show, which celebrates shelter pets with a goal of ending pet homelessness.
Modeled after other dog shows, the event includes mixed breed and pure breed rescue dogs competing in categories like “Best in Belly Rubs,” “Best Couch Potato” and “Best Wiggle Butt.”
PEDIGREE Foundation supported the event by giving a total of $100,000 to shelters and rescues represented by the winning dogs. But since all the dogs featured have been adopted, ultimately every dog was a winner.
Congratulations to the winners – click to see their pictures and stories!
- San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, represented by Howard, who won in the “Short and Sweet” category.
- Aussie Rescue San Diego, represented by Babka, who won in the “Wiggle Butt” category.
- Balooja’s Foundation, represented by Beef, who won in the “Snoring” category.
- Dobies and the Little Paw Rescue, represented by Blue, who won in the “Couch Potato” category.
- The Forgotten Dog, represented by Cupcake, who won in the “Special Needs” category.
- Jimmy’s Angel Rescue, represented by Ghost, who won in the “Talking” category.
- Wags and Walks, represented by Ruby, who won in the “Belly Rubs” category.
- Nashville Humane Association, represented by Jim Bear, who won in the “Underbite” category.
- Maeday Rescue, represented by Midge, who won in the “Senior” category.
- San Diego Humane Society, represented by JJ, who won in the “Smile” category.
