19th Week - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Thanks to KGUN 9 News for the Coverage

Today, John, the videographer from KGUN 9 News met me in the PACC parking lot at noon to film our food and cash donation. We talked for a minute or two and then moved on to actually making the delivery. Then he told me the news story would be on the 6 pm newscast. I thanked him warmly for his time and the opportunity to tell our story. What I didn’t realize was how quick the segment would be. Anyway, at least Rescued Critters Food Drive still has 14.5 minutes of fame to go.

Second Rescued Critters Truck Load

Since the truck and the food were in the alley, so was Peach, the not so feral tom cat. He is most aggressive when it comes to food, always being first in line no matter how many of his feline friends he has to push out of the way. Peach likes it best when it’s just food and solitude.

As we learned last week, PACC has two approaches to feeding pets. For those who need assistance with feeding their pets, PACC provides less expensive commercial brands like Purina Dog Chow. The idea here is to keep the pets with their owners instead of having them give their dog or cat up because they simply can’t afford to feed them anymore. Pets remaining in their homes is the goal here. Also, home based pets seem to eat without much coaxing.

Rescued pets get the more expensive foods because they are stressed out and have a tendency to not eat well. So nutrient packed foods are provided to shelter pets. That’s where the $0.90 cents per pound comes in and why they need donations to feed the 17,000 plus a year shelter pets.

PACC’s food assistance program provides about 6,000 lbs. a year to help folks keep their pets in their homes. As I said, this solution is so much better than turning over a loved family pet to the shelter. That’s why, when I saw the Purina food on sale for about $0.48 cents per pound, I scooped up six 52 lb. bags in the past two weeks. As the year progresses, maybe we can be responsible for supplying PACC’s food assistance program. I like providing targeted support to PACC and I am sure you do, too.

This week we donated, a blanket, a retractable lead and a regular lead, in addition to 121.4 pounds of dog and cat food.  The cash donation amounted to $36.15

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 18 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

First Rescued Critters Truck Load

While shopping in Walmart last Thursday I noticed they were selling monster (52 lbs.) bags of Purina Dog Chow for $22.98. That’s $0.44 cents per pound. Immediately I thought of all those tons of very inexpensive and high-quality potatoes I bought for the Community Food Bank with One Can A Week donations. Often the CFB had to send a duce and a half (used to drive one of those things in the Army) to pick up three or four pallets from El Super.

I sent off an email to Bennett at PACC asking what their pet food requirements were and waited. (Walmart and many supermarket brands are corn based). Sunday after collecting our donations I ran a quick tally and got $97.04. Wow, that was enough to buy three 52 lb. bags. Couldn’t hold back so I drive to the Broadway Walmart and was stunned. All of the Purina bags were gone.

I had two choices, Walmart way up on Speedway or the one in the Marketplace Mall on Kino. My gut said Speedway and off I drove. The pet department is way in the back of the store. As I got near, I could see a massive pallet brimming with large green bags. Perfect.

Bennett’s Quiet Intellect

Late Sunday afternoon Bennett replied to my email.

“We wouldn’t feed these (Purina Dog Chow and Pedigree Steak and Vegetable) in shelter because dogs need to eat more of it to get their nutritional needs for the day and so many of our dogs won’t eat enough already, but we would definitely use it for dogs we’re encountering while doing outreach. They tend to eat a little more and their owners tend to be on top of making sure they aren’t losing weight.”

Fascinating. I read his paragraph a couple of times to understand their feeding concept. It makes perfect sense but what I had thought about most rescues organizations was, they feed what they have. Not true for PACC.

This is a photo of Haley in her former home where her hair
is thin and she was not given the best of care.

 They do what I do. Find the best food possible for animals in distress. To digress a bit, when I first got Haley, she was having all kinds of problems: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), itchy ears, head shaking, blood-shot eyes. All the symptoms of a food allergy.

Eliminating beef and chicken from her diet diminished the symptoms a bit but nothing really worked. I even tried rabbit and kangaroo. Each did a little but when I combined them, she got better. But only for a couple of months.

One day Haley refused to eat her food. This was remarkable because Haley is a very enthusiastic eater. In less than 60 seconds she empties her bowl and starts eying Cody’s. To that point I tried maybe 15 different brands looking for the one protein and formula she could tolerate. And one meal of any food is all I needed to determine whether she was allergic to the food or not, similar to what happens with peanut allergies.

After a few months on an improved diet
and lots of hugs, Haley begins to shine.
She was easily spooked and very shy.
Not so any more. Folks on our daily
walks often comment on her amazing
transformation.

All I had on hand after she refused her current food was Cody’s Blue Buffalo Salmon and Potato. I gave her a bowl. Twenty minutes later, magic … no reaction. Consequently, I know exactly what Bennett and his team of nutritionists are faced with and what they are doing. This makes me love Pima Animal Care Center even more. They don’t have to try but like me, yes, they do.

The Mountain We Have to Climb

In a subsequent email, Bennett told me in general how much dog food they purchase. (No cat food, dry or wet is included in the calculation.) “We go through about 5,000 bags of just dog food a year, so close to 200,000 lbs. …”

That translates to 100 tons. A lot but we here in Tucson can reach that goal. There are 130 neighborhoods. If 50 neighborhoods participated in the Rescued Critters Food Drive and collected 4,333 lbs. each year, that would do it. However, as energized as our Miles Neighborhood is, we are destined to get way more than 4,333 pounds.

This week we donated 172.8 pounds of dog and cat food. The most to date. The cash donation was $22.10.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 17 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

We are 32% into our year, and we already donated 42% of our goal

To date, we donated 1,811.7 lbs. of pet food to PACC and this is just our 17^th week. At the end of our 52^nd week, the goal is 4,333 lbs. or 2.2 tons. Just a quick look at the numbers you can see we are almost half way there, putting us a full 9 weeks ahead of schedule. Your generosity is amazing and I am very proud to call you my neighbors. 

	Food	Cash	Total lbs. including cash ($0.90 per lb.)
1st Quarter Totals	40.2 lbs.	$177.87	237.8 lbs.
2nd Quarter Totals	235.5 lbs.	$1204.59	1,573.9 lbs.
	257.7 lbs.	$1,38,46	1,811.7 lbs.
Rescued Critters Food Drive began September 9, 2018. Therefore, our fiscal year runs from September 1st through August 31st. CURRENTLY – There are 53 Participants Week Date Pet Food Cash Check 1 October 7 9.4 lbs. $321.75 $10.00 2 October 14 16.6 lbs. $25.75 ---------- 3 October 21 7.8 lbs. $35.11 $25.00 4 October 28 19.7 lbs. $163.76 ---------- 5 November 4 16.7 lbs. $48.55 $20.00 6 November 11 16.1 lbs. $23.80 $20.00 7 November 18 22.4 lbs. $34.65 ---------- 8 November 25 14.1 lbs. $82.50 $5.00 9 December 2 13.4 lbs. $101.15 $30.00 10 December 9 53.3 lbs. $28.90 $5.00 11 December 16 17.6 lbs. $44.10 $10.00 12 December 23 11.1 lbs. $68.80 $10.00 13 December 30 17.3 lbs. $70.77 $20.00 2nd Quarter  Totals 235.5 lbs. $1,049.59 $155.00 Pet Stores in California Will No Longer Be Able to Buy from Puppy Mills  Puppy mills just lost their store distribution vehicle in California which will take a big bite out of their profits. Last week we told you about the new law in England eliminating puppy and kitten sales at pet stores. The law states that “people wishing to adopt a puppy or kitten would have to deal directly with a breeder or a re-homing center, rather than pet shops or other commercial dealers.” In the Huffington Post on Wednesday, December 30, California announced a similar law that went into effect January 1, 2019. Pet stores in the state must deal with a public animal control agency, shelter or rescue group and that information must be posted on the display cases. Also, the pet stores must give those agencies access to their records. (Mouse over Huffington Post link below.) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-all-rescue-pet-stores_us_5c2912f5e4b05c88b7017ec7 California always likes to be first but no state in the union will mind being second when it comes to protecting puppies and kittens.  Donating Dollars is Making More Sense to Folks The sun was not shining so Haley decided to follow suit. This week we got way more dollars than cans of pet food. Of course, everyone was busy with Christmas week, but I find my neighbors reach for their wallets or into their pockets soon after I knock. Or they already have an envelope stuck in their door. My thinking is .90 cents per pound for pet food is proving to be quite the motivator. We donated 17.3 lbs. of dog and cat food and a hefty $90.77 in cash or check.  See you Sunday, Peter

Week 16 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Thanks, We All Needed That!

HAPPY HOWL-IDAYS!
Click on link.

In the past couple of days, some terrific things have happened for us … and puppies and kittens. Briton just banned all third-party sale of dogs and cats, I received a high-tech Christmas card and we collected lots for food for Pima Animal Care Center.

No pet stores or other commercial outlets in England can sell dogs or cats. Folks can only buy from rescue centers or breeders. The new law has overwhelming acceptance. Now, can the US be far behind? Soon after Briton got the Beatles we did, too. That is what overwhelming acceptance can do. (Click on link)   https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pet-stores-uk-puppy-kitten-ban_us_5c22337ee4b05c88b6fbe44c

After my neighbors, Christina and Blake gave me the Happy Howl-idays Christmas card, the air was filled with gleeful puppy sounds. Over and over again. Nineteen seconds is just not enough. Click on the link above to start smiling and chuckling again … especially at the tone-deaf puppy’s final note.

Sixteen weeks and growing

Cody only likes unwrapped food and the pile of money
is of no interest at all. So he turns to what pleases him the
most, basking in the sun.

Monday, we donated 11 lbs. of dog and cat food and … $78.80 in cash. Such generosity helps us move closer to our goal of 2 tons of pet food more quickly.

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 15 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Okay, This One Got to Me.

My friends, Roy and Mary Sasiadek sent me a Christmas card today to wish me a happy holiday and to tell me that Snuggles, their Westie, was turning 15 in March. Snuggles is the only puppy produced by my two Westies, Adam and Molly. This most delightful card caused me to think about all of the other pleasant dog stuff that happened to me in the last few days.

On Sunday, Burl, a neighbor on Miles walked up to the truck as I was about to hop out. “See, you don’t have to get out of the truck to collect donations,” he said with a grin.

We talked for a couple of minutes and he told me about two ideas involving Rescued Critters Food Drive that are in the works. Recently, Burl mentioned the program to a few of his clients and their interest was piqued. In fact, one client gave him that 24 lb. bag of premium dog food which we donated to PACC last week. He is thinking about ways to engage more of his clients and he promised to get back to me soon.

The other news was just as exciting. Burl has friends in Sahuarita who are thinking about starting their own Rescued Critters Food Drive. I told him to let them know I will provide all the marketing materials, so they don’t have to start from scratch.

This was very exciting news and I told him I really liked how he was approaching his involvement in the program. Burl called it “organic” because he is just telling folks about what we are doing and letting the idea take hold naturally.

On my late afternoon walk today with the guys, Kym a friend and neighbor on 13^th Street, pulled up to the curb to chat. She said her client just gave her a Christmas bonus and she wanted to share some of it with PACC. It’s only Monday and I now have $10.00 to start Week 16.

Usually after the holidays I recycle the Christmas cards I receive. Not the kitty hugging Westie. Nope. That goes up on the wall to remind me to be grateful for all the small and pleasant Rescued Critters Food Drive successes we experience every week.

Togetherness, ©Sue Hall, Star Licensing. American Humane greeting cards. www.americanhumane.org

The First of Four Wraps for the Truck

The only vehicle (double entendre intended) for advertising the Rescued Critters Food Drive program is the Chevy truck. Tuesday the Cook Sign Company on Tucson Blvd. installed the tailgate wrap. To come is the hood wrap and the two side panel wraps. The total cost is approximately $1,100. Since the tailgate wrap cost $116.00 plus installation, I decided to pay for that myself. In order to complete the rest of the signage I will have to find a sponsor. In time, as the popularity of the program spreads, one may just step up to help. Meanwhile, all the folks driving behind me will have something to read while fighting the urge to pick up their smart phone.

This week, instead of concentrating on the food
she can't have, Haley decided to think about
chasing rabbits.

Lots of Christmas shopping going on this past Sunday so many folks were not home. However, we still had a pretty good collection. We donated 3.7 lbs. of cat food, 13.9 lbs. of dog food and 2 Slimcat Feeder Balls. The money amounted to $44.10.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 14 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Just Look at All That Food!

While stacking the food on the table for a photo shoot, Haley bounds up the ramp to check everything out. Each product gets at least two sniffs. Then she sits down quietly and ponders the situation. Darn, none of it is for her. Don’t worry, she gets plenty of treats after the shoot for being such an engaging actor.

Nothing seemed unusual on Sunday until I reached the seventh home. Some folks were away and some had their donation on their porch. Then I saw the huge bag of Merrick dog food tagged with my name. That note told me no one was home here, either, but they were trying to make my day anyway.

The 12 cans of Instinct cat food had a story, too. The order my neighbor on 12^th street got from Chewy a few days earlier had that gift inside. She decided to regift it to PACC. Four other participants donated bags of both dog and cat food. At the end of the day there were 39 lbs. of dog food and 14 lbs. of cat food for a total of 53 lbs. That is significantly more than our average weekly donation of 15 lbs. of food. The cash donation amounted to $33.90 which is a tidy sum, also.

This may be a turning point in the donation patterns where dry food takes over for cans. After 14 straight weeks my neighbors may be thinking this is a good thing and it’s not going away. No matter the rationale, Rescued Critters Food Drive is here to stay.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 13 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

13 is Our Magic Number

It was supposed to rain and be cold Sunday. That didn’t happen. In fact, the day was partly cloudy and very pleasant.

Haley just had her surgery cone removed so she is a bit demure.

That lasted about 4 hours and then she turned back into her 

old energy-ball self.

Next, I noticed that many, many folks anticipated my arrival and had a can of pet food out on the porch or a white envelope stuck in the door. This was the first Sunday— our 13^th Sunday—where I could look down a block and pick out all our participants. Rescued Critters Food Drive has arrived. That’s good news for all of us.

We donated 13.40 lbs. of dog and cat food, in addition to a large towel and a unique cat food toy that dispenses food the longer the cat plays with it. The cash amounted to $101.15 
and $30,00 in checks for a total of $131.15. Since our weekly cash goal is $83.00, we did a real big number this past Sunday.

See you Sunday,

Peter

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