Spare change can save dogs

To the editor:

The Pennies for Pets campaign is hosted annually by the Partners with Paws pet adoption show featured every Tuesday morning on Gold Country WOBL and Kool Kat Oldies WDLW. The concept of Pennies for Pets is simple. Pennies and other loose change is collected at various locations with proceeds benefiting a very worthy cause.

Every penny raised goes directly to saving dogs on death row at local dog pounds. The average cost to save one dog at our local pound is $29. We need a lot of pennies to save lots of dogs.

In late October, 2009, letters went out to all the schools in Lorain County and a press release was issued asking for participation in this year's Pennies for Pets campaign, originally set to run from late October to New Year's Eve.

We asked and many listened. We received commitments from schools, businesses, organizations and individuals. Once the campaign ended on New Year's Eve, many called in asking to extend the campaign because they had a specific number of dogs they wanted to save.

With an offer that could not be refused, the last check was received the week of Feb. 22, 2010. Our sincere thank you goes out to the following locations and the many people who donated: Forestlawn Elementary School in Sheffield Lake, Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority in Lorain, Lake Pointe Health Center in Lorain, Ellen Burge of Lorain, Dietary Health Foods of Elyria, Gary and Renee Phillips of Lorain, Amherst Elementary School of Amherst, Haven Center/Neighborhood House Association of Lorain, and Edward and Kristy Johnson of Lorain.

The total amount of money raised was $2,156.23, saving 74 dogs from death row. I hope each and every person who donated felt special afterward. I guarantee there are 74 dogs that will feel even more special when they are rescued from death row at the dog pound. This could not have been done without all who donated.

Pennies for Pets is an annual event and will kick off again in late fall of this year. Anyone who would like to be a part of this special event can e-mail me at lawilber@oberlin.net, or call 775-2056. Be a hero...adopt a homeless pet.

Lorie A. Wilber

Partners with Paws host