Posted: June 23, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
Castor & Pollux Pet Works, a Clackamas, Ore.-based manufacturer of natural pet food and treats, has donated more than a half million meals to dogs and cats in shelters in the past year. The company made the donations through its partnership with FreeKibble.com.
FreeKibble.com was founded in spring 2008 by a 12-year-old girl named Mimi Ausland. Its mission is to provide food for dogs and cats in shelters.
For every trivia question answered on the website, FreeKibble.com pledges to raise 10 pieces of kibble for shelters from Oregon to Florida. As a founding sponsor, Castor & Pollux helps fulfill that pledge by donating its Organix and Natural Ultramix cat and dog foods to about 10 of the 14 FreeKibble.com-affiliated shelters.
To date, the company has donated more than 538,000 meals, which is equivalent to 103,000 pounds of cat and dog food, according to a company spokesperson.
In addition, Castor & Pollux has created Good Buddy Mimi’s Favorite Mac & Cheese flavored dog cookies to benefit Freekibble.com. With each purchase of the dog cookies, Castor & Pollux donates additional meals and funds to FreeKibble.com.
“We know we’re not the world’s largest pet food company or biggest shelter donor, and we salute everyone who chips in,” said Castor & Pollux co-founder Shelley Gunton. “But with FreeKibble, we’re part of a bigger-than-life story that started when a young girl from our area had a vision of feeding every dog and cat that’s in a pet shelter. We share the value of feeding pets in need, and with FreeKibble, we’re participating in a meaningful way.”