The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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December 21, 2009

Going to the dogs ... and cats; pet food drive will aid rescue groups

By Patrick Cooley

HERMITAGE — Jenny Falvey, the marketing director for Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, held a clipboard and spoke to representatives from six animal rescue organizations from in and around Mercer County in the lobby of Hillcrest on Saturday morning.

“We would have been happy with 20,000 pounds,” she said about the dog park’s pet food drive. “But I am happy to announce that we collected 35,600 pounds.”

After this announcement, everyone in the room started clapping. That 35,600 was made up of dog and cat food and other supplies such as kitty litter that Hillcrest raised through a pet food drive they hope to make an annual event.

“Our goal was 25,000 pounds,” said Roberta Knauf, Hillcrest pet funeral director. Outside the funeral home there was a sign which indicated, week after week, how much was raised.

She said the food they collected will be enough for each of the organizations to feed their animals for six months, allowing them to spend money on other essentials.

“We spend between $3,000 and $5,000 on veterinary care,” said Terry Stefanak, the secretary for the Mercer County Humane Society. “This helps us put money toward that.”

Many of the people who donated, Hillcrest owner Tom Flynn said, were pet owners making donations in honor of a pet that had passed away.

There were also numerous local businesses and schools that helped raise pet food, and money to buy pet food and supplies.

Mrs. Knauf said there was a fourth-grader from a local school who carried a 40-pound bag of dog food onto the bus in the morning, and then into his classroom.

“There was a man from St. Louis who came in one day and just gave us a cash donation,” Ms. Kelvey said.

Mrs. Knauf said, partly due to the success of this year’s drive, they will most likely have another pet food drive next year.

“Our goal next year will be higher,” she said.

Flynn said they will still accept cash and pet food donations to be given to the animal rescue organizations. They can be dropped off at Hillcrest on East State Street in Hermitage.

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