In an inspiring show of community support, Petland stores in central Ohio have come together to make a significant donation to the Humane Society of Delaware County. This generous contribution includes 1,500 pounds of dry dog food, canned dog food, pet supplies, treats, toys, and a $1,000 check from Petland Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The donation aims to alleviate the unexpected expenses incurred by the Humane Society while caring for over 40 dogs recently rescued from an alleged abuse situation.
A Collective Effort Driven by Compassion
The initiative was spearheaded by Paige Edwards, the manager of Petland East Broad Street in Columbus. Motivated by the heart-wrenching media coverage of the dogs’ living conditions, Edwards mobilized her team to gather and deliver much-needed resources. “I have rescued dogs in my lifetime, so seeing the conditions they were in was gut-wrenching and personal,” said Edwards. “I got together with others because I knew the shelter was going to need lots of help with those babies they took in.”
Emily Geiger, the manager of Petland Grove City, also played a crucial role in this collective effort. “To see a shelter take in so many dogs in need at once, and them being so close to home was truly heartbreaking,” Geiger shared. “When Paige reached out to me asking how we could help, we got the ball rolling.”
Community-Wide Support
The collaboration quickly gained momentum, extending beyond the initial stores involved. News of their efforts spread across all six central Ohio Petland locations, including those in Hilliard, Pickerington, Upper Arlington, and Lewis Center. Jenna Wester, the manager of Petland Lewis Center, emphasized how the case hit close to home for her. “I’ve been a part of the Delaware community for as long as I can remember,” Wester said. “As an animal lover, to hear of this pet rescue in our own backyard and its effect on the Delaware County Humane Society, I knew I wanted to do something to help. By coming together as a Petland team, we were all able to provide the shelter with so much more!”
Making a Difference
The donations made a significant impact on the Humane Society of Delaware County. Jana Cassidy, Executive Director of the Humane Society, expressed her heartfelt thanks: “Thank you for your wonderful support of these pups. We are incredibly grateful for the donations received.”
Wester added, “Petland Charities and Petland’s central Ohio locations were able to come together to help the dogs and the shelter. I feel like a small weight has been lifted for the staff who are working tirelessly to get these dogs ready for adoption. My hope is that we continue to help in any way we can.”
Ongoing Commitment
This generous act by Petland underscores their ongoing commitment to ending inhumane breeding, reducing pet homelessness, and fostering special human-animal connections. The collaboration between Petland stores and the Humane Society of Delaware County serves as a beacon of hope and demonstrates the power of community solidarity in times of need.
For more information about Petland’s initiatives and their dedication to animal welfare, visit Petland Charities.
This heartfelt effort by Petland and its employees not only provides immediate relief to the Humane Society of Delaware County but also highlights the importance of community involvement and compassion in addressing animal welfare issues. Through collective action and generosity, they have shown that even in challenging times, we can come together to make a positive difference.
Source: Petland teams donate pet food and more to Delaware Co. Humane Society for emergency needs