More than 4,500 applications were received and 33 animal welfare groups were chosen as the winners of Petco Foundation’s Holiday Wishes Grant Campaign. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen’s “Halo, Purely for Pets” pet food company, and the Petco Foundation awarded the grants after thoroughly considering each of the applicants, with $500,000 (total) awarded to 33 animal welfare groups. The Pet Rescue Center in Mission Viejo received the grand prize of $100,000.
 
Per the official announcement, The Pet Rescue Center was chosen for its story of Sammy, a male pit bull who had been used as a bait dog. “When he arrived at the center, Sammy had massive scars and fresh wounds covering his body, including a 3-4 inch laceration on the bottom of his chin and significant damage to his ears. Once healed, and while waiting for a new home, Sammy had the chance to pay it forward to another needy puppy who was found bleeding in a shopping center parking lot and in desperate need of a blood transfusion. Sammy’s blood type was a match and he proved to be the perfect patient throughout the entire process, earning him a spot in the center’s hall of fame for memorable rescues. And Sammy’s will to live and help others did not go unnoticed. Soon, a couple who was touched by his story came to meet Sammy. Although hesitant due to misconceptions about his breed, the couple was amazed by his demeanor and happy-go-lucky attitude, and they decided to adopt him. Sammy now lives with his new Wheaton Terrier brother and a family that loves him dearly.”
 
The Pet Rescue Center helps to save the lives of dogs and cats by working with shelters, veterinarians and animal rescue groups in Southern California. “The group provides a veterinary supervised temporary sanctuary for pets while they work to find adoptive families. The group provides educational resources, sponsors medical treatments and stocks a Pet Pantry that provides free pet food and cat litter for seniors and unemployed pet owners to keep pets in their homes.” For more info, visit www.thepetrescuecenter.org.
 
Grand Prize $100,000 Winner:
 
— The Pet Rescue Center (Mission Viejo, Calif.) in honor of Sammy
 
Second Place $50,000 Winners:
 
— Saint Francis Animal Center (Georgetown, South Carolina) in honor of
Hope, a puppy saved by a high school baseball team after an apparent
stabbing

— Community Animal Welfare Society (Salt Lake City, Utah) in honor of
Phoenix, a cat saved during the recent wildfires.
 
Third Place $25,000 Winners:
 
— Mohawk & Hudson River Human Society (Menands, New York)
— Humane Society of Redmond (Redmond, Oregon)
— Richmond Animal League (Richmond, Virginia)
— Cleveland Animal Protective League (Cleveland, Ohio)
— San Antonio Pets Alive! (San Antonio, Texas)
 
Fourth Place $10,000 Winners:
 
— Animal Refugee Response
— Friends of DeKalb Animals Inc.
— Human Society/SPCA of Nelson County Inc.
— Terre Haute Humane Society
— National Mill Dog Rescue Network
— Wright Way Rescue
— Tail Wagger’s 1990
— Crash Landing Inc.
— Caring Hands Humane Society
— Humane Society of Northeast Iowa
 
Fifth Place $5,000 Winners:
 
— Last Hope Animal Rescue, Inc.
— Pal Rescue & Adoption Inc.
— Animal Welfare Association
— Greenville County Animal Care
— Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society
— Hancock County Animal Shelter
— REZQ Dogs
— South County Cats
— Maddie & Friends Inc.
— Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc.
— Catpaws (Helen Sanders Cat Protection and Welfare Society)
— Chako Pit Bull Rescue
— Burbank Animal Shelter
— Lifeline Animal Project
— Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue & Adoption, Inc.
 
The winners will be receiving the grants in the next few weeks.
 
Source: Petco Foundation
 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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