AARP Colorado, partners collect tons of pet supplies

http://youtu.be/13m8xs4Jfq0[/youtube]

Total collected through combined efforts reaches 5,000 pounds of food and cat litter

AARP, Pets Are Wonderful Support (P.A.W.S.) Colorado, The GLBT Center and PetSmart collaborated for the third time over the past two years to provide support for the companion animals of senior citizens, people with disabilities and those facing life-challenging illnesses. The pet food and supplies drive that ended last month resulted in stocked shelves for P.A.W.S. Colorado.

“This pet food and supply drive has been incredibly successful,” said Jeremiah Mora, community outreach director for AARP Colorado and one of the lead organizers for the drive. “It goes without saying that these supplies help the companion animals of people with disabilities by ensuring they receive food and other supplies. But a food drive like this really supports people who endure serious life challenges by giving their pocketbooks a break so they can better focus on their own nutrition and health.”

PetSmart joined the coalition of partners during this most recent pet food drive by providing drop-off locations. The GLBT Center, P.A.W.S. Colorado and AARP started the first pet-food drive in 2011. Each drive has been very successful, said

Dan Peregoy, manager of volunteer resources for P.A.W.S. Colorado.

“I wanted to extend a thank you to all of you for your hard work with this last food and supply drive,” Peregoy said. “Through your combined efforts, over 5,000 pounds of food and litter, toys, and other items were collected. All of you donated a total of almost 70 volunteer hours to the drive. Your time and the donated items go a long way toward helping our clients and their companion animals.”

[Photo courtesy of toastiest/flickr]