Perhaps the nicest thing a dog-lover can do to show support for the canine world is to help dogs in need find loving homes. The ways to do so, aside from adopting another pet yourself, are as endless as the stream of abandoned pups pouring through shelter and rescue-organization doors.
Dozens of benefit events scheduled in Northern California over the holiday season offer ways to have fun while contributing to the cause. They range from silent auctions and holiday parties held in conjunction with “Home for the Holidays” adoption drives, to photos with Santa sessions, pet-food drives, craft sales and even the opportunity to watch a classic dog film,1943’s “Lassie Come Home," as part of Palo Alto Humane’s holiday gala on Dec. 6.
Pet Food Express, with dozens of retail outlets in Northern California, is known for its programs supporting shelters and rescue groups. This season, it’s sponsoring in-store pictures with Santa events with 100 percent of proceeds going to regional pet nonprofits.
No time to get out? Shop online for gifts that give back and make you feel as warm and fuzzy as your pooch at the same time.
We’re partial to the indestructible Orbee-Tuff toys made in the U.S.A. for Planet Dog, a socially conscious company that donates 2 percent of its profits to support the training, placement and support of service dogs. At the Animal Rescue Site, a partner of Petfinder.com and the Greater Good Network, you’ll find tons of dog-themed merchandise and be gratified to know that 3 percent to 50 percent of every purchase goes to pet nonprofits. Visitors also can give directly through the site to a variety of causes, from help for pets impacted by Superstorm Sandy to food donations for shelters.
Two more give-back retailers with four-paw ratings are Kuranda.com, where you can both buy dog beds and donate beds to charity; and Earthdog, a Nashville, Tenn-based manufacturer of quality hemp products for dogs that donates 10 percent of profits to Kody’s Fund, a foundation supporting organizations with active spay/neuter programs.
