Pet Peeps just finished our donation drive “Presents4Pets” in support of the Washington Humane Society last weekend. We are thrilled to let you know that we gathered over $1,000 in pet supplies, from reflective collars, water bowls and stuffed animals to cat and dog beds. We dropped off a car-load Sunday, November 8 at The Washington Humane Society and were greeted by two volunteers who were THRILLED at the boxes we kept bringing in. I am confident the donations will be put to good use; they started going through the boxes before we left, designating what toy each dog would like!

We could not have done this without you: our clients and the public. Some do not understand that a shelter is not the same as a home because there is not way that specialized care can be given to each animal like it can in your home. After picking up supplies at a few of the sites, I saw how excited many of the workers there were about our drive. After picking up the drop-off box at CityPaws, the workers were truly sad to see the drive end; the owner at GreenPets through in a few donations of his own and one of the workers at Logan Hardware said she had intended on bringing in a big bag of cat food but had not had the chance. It was so heart-warming to see the community come together to give.

After unloading the car, one cat bed was immediately put to use by a furry white cat, replacing a hard, plastic bin. The workers remarked that the kennels would quiet for days with the bones donated and some lucky cat would get the catnip castle!

We were not expecting a large drive this year, it was our first and we were not sure how much we could do. My expectations were blown out of the water.

We sincerely appreciate the generosity in GreenPets, 5^th Street Hardware, Logan Hardware, MacArthur Animal Hospital and CityPaws act as drop-off sites. And to those who contributed: you are an example of “making a difference” and made a difference in the lives of shelter pets at The Washington Humane Society. 

We look forward to your participation in next years drive!

Micro-chipping does not guarantee that your pet will not run away, or even that he/she will be returned if that does happen. It means that there is a sliver of hope that if your pet runs away, they may return, perhaps even ten years later.
Fredericksburg resident Gary Rowley found himself in this situation a few weeks ago after receiving a Facebook message from a mom in Oklahoma, whose children found his dog, Brindle in a bush by their home. After taking him to the vet, they discovered he was had a microchip ID, directing them toward Virginia where his owner still lives.
There is some debate over the safety of micro chipping because of a series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, which stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association said in a 2007 statement:
“Considering how a large number of pets have been implanted with microchips with a relatively small number of confirmed cases of tumors associated with microchips, the AVMA advises against a rush to judgment on the technology.”

The Washington Humane Society suggests micro-chipping pets because of the increased rate of pet-owner reunions and a decrease in euthanasia because of reunification.

According to a recent study in the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine, shelter officials were able to find the owners of lost micro-chipped pets in nearly three out of four cases.

We figure that the benefits out way the potential risks of micro-chipping. Let us know what you think!
To read the story about Gary Rowley:
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11283385

With National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week at hand, Pet People is joining forces with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) for the “Presents 4 Pets” campaign, a collection drive to benefit pets in shelters and provide items desperately needed to help keep shelters operational, and animals comfortable and safe. Pet People will be collecting donations for the Washington Humane Society.

This national program, already underway, will run until the first week of November, coinciding with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week observed November 1-7. As part of this annual program, Pet People and other NAPPS members across the country are reaching out to their clients and encouraging them to collect and donate products for this worthy cause. Items such as toys, treats, blankets, towels, rugs, beds, bleach, leashes, collars, coupons, and newspapers are all being solicited.


Donation Sites Include:
The Big Bad Woof at 117 Carroll Street, NW - WDC
Greenpets at 1722 14th Street, NW - #1 - WDC
Logan Hardware at 1416 P Street NW - WDC
5th Street ACE Hardware at 1055 5th Street NW -WDC
Macarthur Animal Hospital at 4832 MaAarthur Blvd NW -WDC
City Paws at 1823 14th Street NW - WDC