Purina Supports Missouri Pet Shelter with $100,000 Donation; Shelter Debuts Improvements
Sep 25, 2016
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Representatives from Nestlé Purina present a $100,000 check to the Friends of the Animal Shelter in St. Joseph (FOTAS) on Sept. 23, 2016. Also pictured are representatives from the city of St. Joseph. |
Nestlé Purina demonstrated its passion for pets in a big way Sept. 23, 2016, when a $100,000 donation was presented to the Friends of the Animal Shelter in St. Joseph, Missouri (FOTAS).
Part of the funding was used to build a “catio” and meet and greet area at the shelter, both of which debuted Sept. 23. The new features were constructed in mid-September by a team of experts from Rescue Rebuild, a community-driven volunteer program of GreaterGood.org that works to build, repair and renovate animal shelters and rescues in need. Dozens of volunteers from the community, FOTAS and Purina also assisted with the week-long project. Inside the new building is a space where cats can be cats, and where adopters can get to know them in a home-like environment. The cats also have safe access to sunshine and fresh air.
In addition to funding the renovation, Purina’s donation also helps kick-start the FOTAS capital campaign.
“We're really excited about the opportunities this renovation will provide shelter pets, but we're dreaming even bigger than that - FOTAS is gearing up to launch a capital campaign, with the goal of raising funds to build an entirely new shelter in an entirely new location, which we'll be able to move this catio to when the time comes,” said Dr. Annie Valuska, local Purina employee and FOTAS board member. “FOTAS cannot thank Purina enough for this gift - it is going to change the lives of a lot of animals.”