Posted: October 28, 2011, 3 a.m. EDT
Nearly 200,000 pounds of dog and cat food were donated during the 2010 National Pet Food Drive. |
Petco and the Petco Foundation ask dog and cat lovers to take part in the second annual National Pet Food Drive to help dog and
cat owners in need this holiday season. The National Pet Food Drive starts Sun., Oct. 30, and last through Sun., Nov. 13.
During the two-week drive, consumers can pick up extra food or litter during their shopping trip, or bring unopened cans or bags from home, and drop it into specially marked
dog and cat food collection bins located in each of the more than 1,100 Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide. Throughout the drive, Hill's Science Diet will match, pound for pound, each bag of dog and cat food donated, up to 100,000 pounds.
"Last year's drive provided more than 90 tons — almost 200,000 pounds — of pet food for families in need; an incredible gift leading into the holiday season and such an easy way for people to help keep pets well-nourished and with the families who love them in tough economic times," said Paul Jolly, executive director of the Petco Foundation and a Petco vice president. "We hope to double that this year, so we're asking the communities we serve to give a little extra and help us raise awareness for this important year-round program."
Since the National Pet Food Bank program launched in March 2010, Petco and the Petco Foundation have collected and donated nearly a million pounds of
dog and cat food and cat litter to families in need. Each Petco and Unleashed by Petco store has collection bins available for year-round collection; and each store partners with a local food bank or dog and cat welfare group to ensure donations are provided directly to economically stressed dog and cat owners in that store's community.
In addition to the opportunity to donate, Petco has also partnered with VolunteerMatch, the nation's largest network of volunteer opportunities, to give pet enthusiasts around the country an easy way to volunteer in support of the pet food drive, as well as find other volunteer opportunities in their area. And, for the second year, Best Friends Animal Society will support the national food drive by mobilizing its nationwide network of volunteers to register for the event and help drive awareness of the program.
To register as a dog and cat food drive volunteer, click
here and select "Petco Foundation Pet Food Drive." Volunteer opportunities are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the pet food drive (Oct. 30 and Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13). Once registered, volunteers can pick a Petco store location and volunteer time slot of their choice, and will be eligible to sign up for other volunteer opportunities in the future.
To learn more about the Petco Foundation and how you can make a difference for dogs and cats in your community and across the country, click
here.