Four Paws Pet-Sitting Service Hosts Hungry Bowl Food Drive

As part of an international effort by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the largest association for professional pet sitters, the Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive serves to collect pet food for local rescue groups and shelters.

The local Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive is again being sponsored by Four Paws Pet-Sitting Service. In Douglas County, since the creation of the international drive in 2009, we have collected more than 8,000 pounds of pet food for local rescue groups and shelters. 

In December 2008, local residents, Debra Y. Milton and her mother Wanda, helped to inspire Pet Sitters International (PSI) with the creation of the fundraiser after she and her mother prepared and distributed pet food bowls containing human treats as Christmas gifts to veterinarians’ offices, groomers and other pet care professionals. Milton asked the pet care professionals, in return, to fill the empty pet food bowls with dog and cat food and donate it to their local shelters and rescue groups.

PSI members participating in PSI's 2012 Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive collected more than 18 tons of pet food for their local animal shelters, pet-rescue groups and food banks. PSI member businesses from 17 U.S. states, Canada and Australia participated.

Due to the economy, donations to pet-related charities have decreased.  Budget cuts are being made to local agencies, there has been an increase in the number of animals being surrendered or abandoned due to home foreclosures and job losses and many local pet pantry shelves are bare. Rescue groups and shelters across the country are in dire need.  All donated food will be fed to shelter and rescue animals in Douglas County. Donations accepted now through December 2013. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Douglas County Courthouse (Information Desk), 8700 Hospital Drive;

• Sweetwater Creek Animal Hospital, 2785 Lee Road, Suite B-10;

• Janice Thompson State Farm Insurance, 2090 Fairburn Road;

• Westside Animal Emergency Clinic, 875 Thornton Road;

• Douglasville Wellness and Chiropractic (Dr. Russo, D.C.), 3677 Highway 5

•       Woodie Fite Senior Center, 8750 Dorris Road

•       Highway 5 Animal Hospital, 3340 Hwy 5

•       The Curiosity Shoppe, 7322 Bankhead Hwy

With the 2012 donations, we were able to donate 3,143 pounds of pet food to the Douglas County Animal Shelter, to the Douglas County Humane Society’s Pet Pantry, to Toni Mitchell with Feline Rescue, to Shannon Edinger with Helping Prevent Homeless Pets, Inc. and to Jonnie S. Craig with Bully Wag, Inc.

As in past years, 100 percent of every contribution is used to purchase pet food for the drive as Four Paws Pet-Sitting Service provides all administrative costs.

For more information, contact Debra Y. Milton of Four Paws Pet-Sitting Service at www.fourpawspetsitting.com or 678-838-7297 (PAWS)