Big Thanks from Local Pet Shelters

Your support made our January pet supplies drive, Helping Hands for Homeless Pets, a huge success! Donations began pouring in even before the event's start, and by the end of the night, our "photo room" was overflowing with crates, toys, pet food, treats and other items from the list of needed supplies. What fun it was to celebrate the beginning of 2010 with all of you while pitching in to help homeless pets in need.

After the party, the mountain of loot was efficiently divvied up and delivered to four local pet shelters with the help of event co-sponsors, Briana Flynn (Picture Perfect Pets graduate), Shannon Mayer (www.biglittlecatdog.com), Joanna Deemys (www.joannascrittersitter.com),
Karen Martin and Francine DiCiara (both from Picture Perfect Pets).

Shelter volunteers at Buddy Dog Humane Society, the MSPCA, the Animal Rescue League and Alliance for Animals expressed their gratitude to all of you who donated so generously to ease the pain of homeless pets in their shelters.

Although we are no longer collecting donations to pass on, the shelters are always happy to receive donations at their sites. Just give them a call to let them know you'll be coming in! Click on the links below for details about each organization.

Visit the Animal Rescue League’s website at http://www.arlboston.org

Visit the MSPCA’s website at http://www.mspca.org/

Visit the website of Alliance for Animals at http://www.afaboston.org/

Visit Buddy Dog Humane Society's web site at www.buddydoghs.org.

Help Us Welcome 2010 with "Helping Hands for Homeless Pets"

Pets in local shelters are desperate for your help, but cash is far from the only way way to ease their pain.

The MSPCA recently reported a 160% increase in surrenders of pets between 2007 and 2009 due to the economy. Every donation helps! Even a donation of old towels, phone books for small animals to shred, leashes, collars, or even an old pet bed can help a homeless pet waiting for adoption. And donating couldn't be easier or more fun.

A very special event, “Helping Hands for Homeless Pets,” will take place on Friday, January 15th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Picture Perfect Pets, located at 11A Medford Street in Arlington, MA.

Helping Hands for Homeless Pets will give you a chance to conveniently drop off donations of supplies to share with local pet shelters, including the MSPCA, Buddy Dog, Animal Rescue League and Alliance for Animals. In the bargain you can welcome the New Year with refreshments, friendly dogs on leash, and fellow dog lovers. If your pet will be uncomfortable in a crowd of dogs and people, you are welcome to take a “doggy bag” home, instead.

Helping Hands for Homeless Pets was inspired by young dog lover, Sean Flynn, of Arlington. The Flynn family set about organizing a pet shelter donations drive to collect unused items local families might have lying around just taking up space but which could be making a big difference in the lives of pets in shelters.

When Bette Yip, Briana, Sean and "Lucky" Flynn's dog training instructor at Picture Perfect Pets, heard about their effort, she jumped on board. "I wanted to hold a New Year's party for our students and friends in January anyway, and this was the perfect opportunity to make our celebration even more meaningful. When I mentioned our plan to other area pet-related-business owners, they were eager to pitch in, too."

Shannon Mayer (BigLittle CatDog Petsitting), Joanna Deemys (Joanna's Critter Sitter) and Robin Woods (Robin's Nest Pet Salon) will join together with Bette Yip and Karen Martin of Picture Perfect Pets in hosting this event, and helping the Flynn family to collect and distribute donations of much needed supplies to local shelters.

Now is the time to clear out your closets and basements for a worthy cause. Do you have any of the items on the following pet shelter donations wish list which you no longer need?

Bath Towels
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Plush toys
Rubber squeaky toys
Tennis balls
Dental Chews
Knotted rope toys
Rawhides/knuckle bones
Training treats
Pet beds
Phone books for small animals to shred
Cat litter
Cat and dog food
Bowls
Old Crates
Collars
Leashes
Copy paper
Paper towels
Toilet Paper
Distilled Water
3-tab manila file folders
Dishwashing liquid
Large trash bags
Hand sanitizer
Rubbing alcohol
Scissors
Tape dispenser refills
Air fresheners
3x5 index cards
Radios
Pens

For further details, visit www.BetteYip.com or contact Bette Yip of Picture Perfect Pets at (617) 966-4240.