Last year 1,000 pounds of dog food, and a truck packed with blankets, collars and various dog supplies were donated in Innisfail. This year, Bob Mattice, co-owner of The Doggie Door on 49 Street, hopes to collect even more.
“The incoming support last year was just great,” said Mattice who had people come in from all over Central Alberta to help donate a toy here or a leash there.
“I had some people go to Wal-Mart and spend $200 on supplies and food, only to give it away. It was just unreal.”
Mattice collects supplies for abandoned or feral dogs that have been rescued through HART, Humane Animal Rescue Team, based out of Edmonton throughout the year. This time of the year, he amps up promotion of the charity event, to get more people involved and more supplies collected.
“There’s just so many dogs that need the help, and need a home,” he said, adding that many times people give away a dog because they just don’t know how to train it, or work with an issue the dog may have.
Mattice, who got serious about training dogs with aggressive tendencies, after helping a woman whose dog was territorial over his food dish, said there’s always a way to help a dog, it’s just finding out the best approach.
The dogs that will receive the donated supplies are the ones rescued through the organization, HART. Mattice said they don’t have a shelter to house the dogs, but work through networking.
“If they rescue a dog they’ll call someone like me, and I’ll get on the phone and start networking to find somewhere for them.” He said he’ll go into homes of some people who take on dogs with aggressive tendencies and work with them and the dog on techniques.
“You’ll always have to work with them,” he said of some of the dogs needing constant retraining.
This is the second year The Doggie Door has run the Food for Fido campaign. This year, All About Dogs is jumping on board as well and will be offering a $20 charity dog wash, with all of the proceeds going towards Food For Fido.
Dogs will receive a full shampoo, scrub down, conditioning treatment and a light towel rub and powder dry. The money will go towards the reoccurring vet bills for the dogs.
“It’s a registered charity and people will receive a tax receipt.” He said HART merchandise, such as charms, will be for sale as well, with all money going towards the campaign.
The doggie wash runs November 26 and 27 and will allow for a 30-minute wash for each dog.
Mattice will be collecting donated goods until Christmas.
For more information, call (403) 227-1970 or (403) 227-7250.
