Posted: November 16, 2011, 3 a.m. EDT
The Portland, Ore.-based trust is collaborating with Banfield Pet Hospital and its network of 780 pet hospitals in hopes of collecting 70,000 pounds of pet food to give to homebound seniors, the unemployed, and the disabled to provide 140,000 pet meals for their companion animals.
The drive continues through December, and donations can be made at any Banfield Pet Hospital, many of which are located inside Petsmart retail stores. The trust also hopes to raise more than $100,000 through monetary donations, which can be made at the hospitals or on the trust’s website.
“We get calls every day from people on fixed incomes who are worried they won’t be able to take care of their companions or feed them,” says Dianne McGill, executive director and CEO of Banfield Charitable Trust. “This campaign will help feed thousands of pets whose pet owners are desperate not to lose a companion who brings them joy, stability and emotional well-being.”
The trust is also partnering with pet food makers Pedigree Brand and Royal Canin. Each company will donate a pound of food for each Facebook user who “likes” the Banfield Charitable Trust page for up to 30,000 Facebook users.