The PETCO Store located at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals ( www.animalalliancenyc.org ) , the Animal Relief Fund (ARF!) ( www.arf-ny.org ) and PETCO ( www.petco.com ) kicked-off their partnership for a campaign to feed hungry New York City pets through pet food donations at PETCO stores throughout the city.
This partnership is an extension of ARF!'s efforts to provide pet food to human food pantries in New York City and Long Island so that cash-strapped New Yorkers are able to keep their pets at home, rather than having to face the difficult decision to relinquish them to a shelter, simply because they do not have the funds or food to feed them.
Joining Susan Kaufman, founder of ARF!, at the press conference were Jane Hoffman, President of the Mayor's Alliance; Steve Crall, general manager of the PETCO store location; and Kathryn Willis, president of Anjellicle Cats Rescue. Susan was also joined by Peter, an adorable Picasso Veterinary Fund dog available for adoption, along with his foster parents.
During the event, customers of PETCO helped to jump-start the campaign with pet food and toy donations, which nearly filled the donation bin.