Test your trivia, have a blast while helping raise money for families in need Sept. 16

August 30th, 2010
Iowa history, Des Moines landmarks, music, movies and food are just a few of the fun categories at the Dog-Eat-Dog Trivia Night on September 16.
Dog-Eat-Dog Trivia Night, a fundraiser for The Pet Project Midwest, will kick off with a social hour at 6 p.m. at People’s on Court and the game will begin at 7. It costs $25 to play if you purchase your ticket before Sept. 6 or $30 after Sept. 6 or at the door. Teams of eight will compete through rounds of trivia questions ranging from pop culture to historical facts.
“Tickets can be purchased in ones, twos, fives, etc.,” said Sara Henderson, board president of The Pet Project Midwest. “You do not need to put a whole team of 8 together to sign up! Just grab a buddy or two, or plan a solo night out & buy your ticket soon!”
WHO TV Reporter Jannay Towne and Karess Carter from STAR 102.5 will be the celebrity emcees. The top three teams will take home cash prizes and bragging rights. Ticket cost includes dinner from Planet Sub.
“Ever since we had Dog-Eat-Dog in May, players have been asking when they can do it again,” explained Courtney Tompkins, board vice president of The Pet Project Midwest (TPPM). “High-schoolers through senior citizens will have a blast at the event. It’s a test of knowledge and useless trivia but it’s no quiet night in the library. Bring your game and be prepared for a very fun night!”
Money raised through Dog-Eat-Dog will help feed animals around the Des Moines area metro through TPPM’s Pet Pantry. The Pet Pantry currently has about 350 client families it provides food and supplies to for 900+ pets so families can stay together, even in rough months.
For more information about TPPM and the Pet Pantry, event details, registration or sponsorship opportunities or call 515-727-4738 or email Info@ThePetProjectMidwest.org.
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The Pet Project Midwest (TPPM) is making the world a better place through kindness to animals. The group is a non-profit run by volunteers. All TPPM initiatives and programs are designed to keep animals in loving homes. For more info, visit www.thepetprojectmidwest.org.

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Big thanks to Westfield Vet Hospital!!

August 20th, 2010

Yesterday we got a LARGE donation of prescription pet food from Westfield Vet Hospital in Johnston. They are switching foods so gave us everything they had. And what a help it will be!!

We have clients of The Pet Pantry who need special food for their senior pets or those with UTIs or weight problems. The prescription food is very expensive so it makes it hard for us to always provide those clients with the best option. This great generosity helps with that!

Huge thanks to Dr. Safris & Dr. Paulin, Jessi and ALL the staff (sorry, I don’t know everybody’s names!) for your support!

Every time our shelves get really bare, our volunteers and supporters come through for us. We couldn’t do it without you all. We currently keep about 900 animals out of shelters IN HOMES with the people who love them. That’s something we can all feel great about!

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Innovative doghouse competition will spread smoke-free message, raise money for The Pet Project Midwest

August 18th, 2010
Local builders, architects, designers, artists encouraged to participate
Tobacco products and secondhand smoke are killing and poisoning pets! The Central Iowa Tobacco-free Partnership (CITP) has partnered with The Pet Project Midwest and the Great Iowa Pet Expo to create an event to raise awareness of the harmful affects tobacco has on animals. This event is called MuttMansions, A Celebration of the Original Smoke-free Home.
“Some people may not quit for themselves but if they realize they are harming their beloved canine or feline friend, it may be a wake-up call. This event will be a great way to highlight the healthy relationship between people and their pets and the importance of keeping that relationship tobacco-free,” said Megan Tiernan, program coordinator for CITP.

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Ever wonder who “we” are?

July 28th, 2010

The Pet Project Midwest is entirely run by volunteers & supported by donors. A board of directors oversees decisions and works alongside other volunteers to implement programs, events and projects.

The board is comprised of Sara Henderson as president, Courtney Tompkins as vice president, Rachael Woods is Pet Pantry chair, Karla Rendall is events chair, Monica Wimber is education chair, Justin Rogers is the webmaster/IT guy and Becky Mollenkamp is an at-large director. Read the rest of this entry »

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A special request

July 28th, 2010
There is little more comforting after a trying day than the happy expression on your dog’s face when you walk through the door, or the sweet snuffles and purrs you get when snuggling with your cat, ferret or bunny. Whether your best friend has fur, feathers or fins, you know how much they add to your life.

Now, imagine having to give that adored member of the family up because of a temporary setback. Loss of a job, medical bills, divorce, reduced income or other sad facts of life sometimes force folks to make that decision. And that’s where The Pet Project Midwest’s Pet Pantry helps out. We provide food and supplies for Bubba, Lily, Angel, Biscuit, Marley, Pepsi, Ghost, Zippy and many others so families can stay together.

Not only do those frisky, furry, feathery and finned sweethearts get what they need, stay off the street and out of shelters, but their owners don’t face another heartbreak during an already trying time. That’s why we do it. To help people like me and you, to help Bob, Karen, Ron, Sheryl, Randy and their families.

We already help more than 300 Des Moines area families, and some may be your friends and neighbors. That’s 347 dogs, 343 cats, 10 birds, four ferrets, five beta fish, one guinea pig and a turtle that are at home where they belong thanks to The Pet Pantry. But the applications keep rolling in and the need is growing.

We know you support this effort and we couldn’t do it without you. That’s why we are asking today for your assistance. The need is much greater than anyone could have anticipated and our coffers are running low.

If you could spare even a few bucks it would help. $5 feeds a parakeet for a month, $10 buys cat food and litter for a pretty kitty, $20 keeps a lab in kibble, $100 is enough to buy 30 jugs of litter, $250 rents the truck and buys the gas that takes us to Davenport or Kansas City to pick up manufacturer donations, $500 pays the Pantry’s rent for a month and $5000 allows us to make a large purchase at bulk prices.

Anything you can donate to us helps Bob, Karen, Ron, Sheryl, Randy and all the others who count on us. Please consider donating today if you’re able. Click here to help us help them.

Thanks,

Courtney Tompkins, vice president of TPPM

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Volunteers rock!!

July 20th, 2010

A Des Moines AmeriCorps Alums Chapter volunteered with The Pet Project Midwest on a recent Saturday stocking client bins in The Pet Pantry. From left to right, the volunteers are, Courtney Chesher, Melissa Simmermaker, Tracy Robson and Nicole Moriniere.

The Pet Project Midwest is run entirely on volunteer-power and donor-dollars. We love and appreciate everyone who helps us out and know we would not be able to feed so many furry family members without you.

Sometimes we need volunteers to staff a food drive at a local business, sometimes it’s applying temporary tattoos and passing out flyers at an event and every single week we need help packing up food packets for Pet Pantry clients. And you guys always come through.

We can use individuals, couples, friends, families or groups. You tell us when you’re available and we’ll put you to work!

To get involved, you are always welcome to email Volunteer@ThePetProjectMidwest.org or sign up for our mailing list for regular dispatches of upcoming volunteer needs! Thanks so much for your support!

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Props for pet-friendliness!

July 12th, 2010

Best Western in South Des Moines is more than pet-friendly. They’re pet-supportive and that’s something The Pet Project Midwest LOVES to see.

“When I heard the lengths their staff went to for a guest with pet, I was astounded and very proud of this business in my community,” said Sara Henderson, vice president of The Pet Project Midwest board of directors.

This spring, a guest traveling with her dog needed assistance from the staff when her dog went into labor. The dog started a fever in the afternoon and had 2 skinny puppies. The Best Western front desk staff called in a relative who had diabetes to deliver syringes to the hotel so the puppies could be fed. Another staff member ran to get a space heater for the mama dog and puppies.

By 4 a.m., seven wiggly puppies had joined the world in a hotel room! The dog’s owner wrote to Best Western, “Praise your staff as they are irreplaceable. Each one of them helped us in one way or another.”

The guest has continued to have ongoing business in Des Moines and each time brings the puppies to visit her friends at Best Western, 1810 Army Post Rd.

The Pet Project Midwest commends this local business on such a positive and helpful attitude toward family members that are furry, finned or feathered!

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East Village Spa hosts “Spatini Sunday” for The Pet Project Midwest

June 15th, 2010

Enjoy snacks with a chilled “mutt-ini” or “kitty cosmo” while indulging in ala carte spa services and learning about The Pet Project Midwest (TPPM) at Spatini Sunday on June 20.

From 2 until 5 p.m. at East Village Spa, 315 East 5th St. #121 in Des Moines, spa therapists will offer short services such as polish change manicures and pedicures, waxing, chair massage and even samples of “two feet deep barefoot back massages,” all for $10-30 per service. RSVPs are appreciate but not required. Spa services are available on a first-come, first-served basis during the event.

“It’s just a nice time to check out our spa, enjoy a relaxing service or two and collect some food for our friends at The Pet Project Midwest,” explained Cassie Sampson, spa owner.

Sampson is encouraging guests to consider bringing a bag of dry cat or dog food, or cat litter, to the event to help TPPM. For each bag donated, guests will receive an entry into a door prize drawing for gifts from the spa. The spa will also donate a portion of the proceeds from all father’s day gift certificate sales on June 20 to The Pet Project.

“We’re so appreciative of Cassie’s support and look forward to this wonderful afternoon of pampering amongst friends,” said Becky Mollenkamp, TPPM board president.

For more information about The Pet Project Midwest, please visit www.ThePetProjectMidwest.org or chat with TPPM volunteers at the event.

For more information about Spatini Sunday, please call (515) 309-2904 or visit www.evdayspa.com.

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The Pet Project Midwest (TPPM) is making the world a better place through kindness to animals. The group is a non-profit run by volunteers. All TPPM initiatives and programs are designed to keep animals in loving homes. For more info, visit www.thepetprojectmidwest.org.

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CHANGES ON THE TPPM BOARD

May 28th, 2010

The Pet Project Midwest is entirely volunteer-run.

“We cannot thank our volunteers and supporters enough for their time and efforts,” said Board President Becky Mollenkamp. “In the last two months alone volunteers have logged about 800 hours of work!”

The volunteers and organization are governed by a working board of directors. The board of directors has had a few changes over the last few months. To update you, the following people are currently serving the organization on the board:

Becky Mollenkamp – board president

Sara Henderson- vice president and programming chair

Monica Wimber-treasurer and education chair

Karla Rendall-events chair

Justin Rogers- technology chair

Courtney Tompkins-marketing and outreach chair

Rachael Woods-Pet Pantry chair

To learn more about the board of directors, http://www.thepetprojectmidwest.org/about-us.php!

Two directors recently left the board due to time constraints. The Pet Project Midwest appreciates the contributions BJ Weber and Holly Hartling made and wishes them the best. If you ever have questions, please contact one of the seven active directors listed above.

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Three Dog Bakery introduces new products, packaging at open house May 1 with food drive for The Pet Project Midwest

April 27th, 2010

Today Three Dog Bakery announced the launch of new products and a new package designs. To celebrate they’ll be hosting an open house to kickoff a week’s worth of specials. The public is invited to the bakery at 5545 Mills Civic Pkwy #103 in West Des Moines on Saturday, May 1, 1-5 p.m., to check out the new items and new look. Come enjoy the celebration, get a free temporary tattoo, mingle with other pet-lovers and more fun. Discounts will be offered for shoppers who wish to donate Three Dog Bakery food items to The Pet Project Midwest.

“We are excited about our new products and the new packaging,” said Diana Emehiser, Three Dog Bakery owner. “Our shelves will be re-stocked with our new products May 1 and any leftover product in the previous package design we’ll donate to The Pet Project Midwest because good dogs deserve great treats.” 

The special discount for shoppers who donate to The Pet Project Midwest will continue through May 8.

The new package design is a tribute to the company’s history of loving and serving dogs. Customers will recognize many of the much-loved treats but may find their favorite has a new name. In addition to the time-honored classics, Three Dog Bakery is launching new flavors and treats to expand their line of all-natural, oven-baked treats. 

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Three Dog Bakery’s mission is simple: To create the best dog (and cat!) treats and meals in the world. The brand is highly regarded by consumers and industry experts for its unique positioning in the marketplace: All-natural, wholesome, oven-baked food and treats. The brand provides food formulated for pets, as opposed to pet food. 

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The Pet Project Midwest (TPPM) is making the world a better place through kindness to animals. The group is a non-profit run by volunteers. All TPPM initiatives and programs are designed to keep animals in loving homes. For more info, visit www.thepetprojectmidwest.org.

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