Pet food profits go to Indiana Petite Paws Rescue

- As printed in the NW Indiana Times Tuesday, June 5, 2007 

VALPARAISO | Indiana Petite Paws Rescue, Inc. has found a way to ensure that folks can buy bags of pet food that are safe.

An added plus is the organization gets a financial donation every time someone buys food through the link on its Web site.

Indiana Petite Paws is part of the Safe and Healthy Pet Food program offered by HealthyPetNet. The Web site offers natural pet foods, pet treats and pet supplements. Orders are handled by the company, and product is shipped directly from warehouses in California and Florida. All Petite Paws Rescue has to do is add the Web site links to its newsletters and other promotional materials, send thank you notes, answer occasional questions and deposit checks twice a month.

It's a fundraiser that works for organizations such as Indiana Petite Paws Rescue, which often gets donations in the form of bagged pet food. Recent pet food recalls have hit animal charities hard because many of the groups had to throw out donated food because it was deemed unsafe.

Barb Beck, executive director for Petite Paws Rescue, said she is optimistic that the program will be a hit for the organization.

"I'm excited," Beck said. "I didn't want to commit until I could see how our dogs liked the food, but even the finicky eaters really like it. I have one little senior Yorkie who we couldn't get to eat anything, and he is just attacking the bowl of kibbles, and he has no teeth."

Petite Paws provides all of its foster homes with the new food. The program also generates an ongoing, month-by-month income in a way that doesn't demand much time and effort. The organization welcomes 501(c)(3) charities to sign up at its site to become field representatives to help raise funds for their charities.

Visit the Web site at www.petitepaws.org and click on Dog Food Recommendations. Proceeds from purchases go to support Indiana Petite Paws Rescue, Inc., of Valparaiso. Contributors also can make donations to the dog food fund through the Web site.

Nonprofit groups wishing to participate can contact Beck at barb@petitepaws.org. Indiana Petite Paws Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

- As printed in the NW Indiana Times Tuesday, June 5, 2007