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PETLAND CHARITIES DONATES $7,500 TO MIDDLEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR NEW K9 UNIT
(Gallipolis, OH, October 11, 2018) – Petland Charities is pleased to announce its recent $7,500 donation to the Middleport Police Department for the acquisition and training of a new K9 unit.
The $7,500 contribution will cover the cost of the dog and the training as well as supplies.
Middleport Police Department Patrolman and Meth Lab Technician Shannon Smith reached out to Petland Carriage Place in July with his efforts to get a K-9 unit started. Petland Carriage Place then reached out to Petland Charities.
“Not only was Petland instrumental with assisting me back then in 2003 in securing the funds for my K-9 some equipment and food, they didn’t bat an eye on jumping on this ever important task and dream that I am trying to make come true for me personally and my community,” said Smith.
The K-9 unit will be focused on drug detection.
“K-9 units provide an invaluable service to communities and we are honored to be able to provide support to Officer Smith and the Middleport Police Department,” said Steve Huggins, Executive Director of Petland Charities.
Petland’s and Petland Charities’ national Community Service outreach includes offering support to local police, sheriff and fire departments as well as support for military veteran service dogs. The assistance for protective K9 units is most often a feeding program, supplies or fundraising for specific items, such as bite-suits or training gear. Petland stores currently support more than 150 K-9 units across the country. Support for veteran service dogs often goes towards the costs associated with raising, training and on-going care.
This year Petland also became a supporter of the launch of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Law Enforcement Program five K-9 units. And this month, Petland in Heath begins a feeding program for Ohio Rescue Dog Association (ORDA)’s 10 K-9s.
Additionally, Petland supports service and therapy dogs for children and veterans through various programs and outreach. Petland and Petland franchisees sponsor service dogs for Heartland Canines for Veterans, is a 501c3 organization that provides companion, service and therapy dogs for disabled veterans. The average cost to raise and train each service dog is $7,200. Petland, Inc. has committed to supporting the cost of one dog per year for five years. This is in additional to the funds provided by individually-owned and operated stores.
Petland Charities is a 501c3 organization, that partners with the communities Petland corporate stores call home to raise funds for local shelters, K9 units, service dogs and dogs for veterans.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and El Salvador. For more than 50 years, Petland Pet Counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.