2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge Kicks Off at Shelters Nationwide!

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There’s exciting news about a great new initiative to help animals and shelters across the country. It’s the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge! This annual initiative is a groundbreaking contest that challenges animal shelters across the country to come up with innovative ways to engage their communities and get more homeless cats and dogs into loving homes.

aspca rachael ray challenge

A total of $600,000 in prize grants are up for grabs to help shelters save more homeless cats and dogs. The 49 contestants will work to save more animals – during the months of June, July and August 2013 – than they did over the same three-month period in 2012. Last year’s competing shelters saved more than 56,000 cats and dogs during the contest, an increase of 14,376 over the same period in 2011!

The ASPCA and Rachael Ray will award a $100,000 grand prize to the shelter contestant that achieves the greatest increase in lives saved during this three-month period. The contestant that does the best job of engaging its community members in helping to save more animals will win $25,000. Those organizations that do the best in their divisions will be eligible for between $10,000 and $25,000 in additional grants. In total, $600,000 in grant funding will be awarded for increases in animal lives saved, as well as a photo contest and general participation.

To learn more, visit challenge.aspcapro.org. Do your part to help save a life by adopting a homeless pet at a shelter near you!

Join Us for K9 Kamp and Get Fit with Your Fur Kid!

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k9kampWoohoo! Daisy and I are super excited to be participating for the second year in K9 Kamp fitness challenge and we’re inviting YOU and your fur kids to join the fun! As always, K9 Kamp is co-hosted by founders Peggy’s Pet Place and  Kol’s Notes.

If you missed out last year, you can read all about it in our K9 Kamp 2012 posts to get caught up…although this year is a little different.

While last year’s event focused on different challenges each week, this year’s mission is more focused on the overall importance of establishing a year-round routine and staying active with your dog.

The challenge: Spend 30 minutes extra, 3-4 times a week, getting fit with your dog. Of course, stick within whatever physical limitations you or your dog may have…and remember to consult a trained professional if you and/or your dog have questions about what’s best for your situation!

Speaking of limitations, I personally have had issues with my knees in the past so I’ve been working up to being able to walk longer distances at high enough intensity to do some good. You may have seen that Daisy’s papa and I have been losing weight together on Nutrisystem. Now that we’ve shed some major lbs. we’re both powering up our workouts a bit more so the timing is perfect for us!

daisy-step-workout

The hubby has actually got a head start on us and recently started training for running his first marathon, but that’s a bit too extreme for Daisy and me…30 minutes extra, several times a week, sounds doable and we’re looking forward to discovering some new hiking trails, fast-paced walks on the beach and maybe even swimming some laps if we can sneak Daisy into the community pool after hours.

Everyone is invited to join us! If you’re a blogger you can write about it on your own blog. If not, join in by leaving updates, tips and stories in the comment section of our posts. This session of K9 Kamp runs May 31-June 21 and there will be loads of fun AND some great prizes we hope you’ll stay tuned and join in the action! Speaking of prizes, be sure to head on over here to find out the details of what you can win and how to enter!

And be sure to visit the other K9 Kamp featured blogs:

Pamela and Honey from Something Wagging This Way Comes
Snoopy & Annette from Snoopy’s Dog Blog
PupFan, Bella & Tavish from I Still Want More Puppies
Pam & Oskar from Pet Blogs United and the Daily Oskar
Jodi, Sampson & Delilah from Heart Like a Dog
Steve, Jack & Maggie from SlimDoggy
Diane and Rocco from To Dog With Love
Jackie & Rita from Pooch Smooches
Cinny, Baby Pom & JR from Whirlwind of Surprises
Jessica, Chester & Gretel from You Did What With Your Wiener
Beth & Gizmo from Terrier Torrent
Emma and her Mom from My GBGV Life
Are you joining us for K9 Kamp? Leave us a comment and let us know you stopped by and how you and your dog are adding more activity to your fitness routine!

DoggyLoot Deals of the Week: Freezy Pups, KONG, Three Dog Bakery + More!

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If you’ve been having a super busy week like I have, you may have missed some really great pet deals over at doggyloot recently. Not to worry, because I’ve put together a quick listing of the top deals for dogs and pet parents and they ALL include Free Shipping!

Freezy-Pups-deal

My favorite doggyloot deal this week is on Freezy Pups Organic frozen dog treats you make at home. Get the kit including the bone-shaped freezer tray and an assortment of flavor packs for $17 ($25 reg) or just snag the refill packs in flavors of your choice for $8.49 ($15 reg) including free shipping.

Check out these and more paw-tastic deals (all with Free Shipping) including:

  • Two Ultrasonic Hear Doggy Toys $13 ($24 reg)
  • Healthy Dogma Flee Flea Natural Repellant $12 ($24 reg)
  • One KONG Pull & Squeak Toy $13 ($20 reg)
  • Three Dog Bakery All-Natural Dog Treats $10 ($14 reg)
  • HappyTails Natural Itching for Relief Spray $16 $23 reg)
  • One Jolly Pets Teaser Ball $10 ($17 reg)
  • + browse more deals here!

Ways You Can Help Animals Affected by the Moore Oklahoma Tornado

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The images and video coming out since the tragic tornado that hit Moore, OK show the incredible devastation and can seem overwhelming but there are several organizations and nonprofit groups already on the ground to help people and their pets. If you’d like to help support their work, here are some suggestions and links to get you started:

Team Up For Oklahoma

BlogPaws members are teaming up with World Vets to help collect cash donations to support the needs on site. Donations will be collected by World Vets here through 11:59 PM Tuesday, May 28th.

okc pets

Oklahoma City and the City of Moore have launched okclostpets.com, the official site to post notices about lost and found pets in the tornado-stricken area. Post about a pet you’ve lost or found, search the listings, and get the latest information and updates.

Central OK Humane Society

If you’d like to donate directly, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society is keeping the public updated on their most urgent needs and you can visit their blog for more info and link to make a direct donation.

red cross

Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations help provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

waggin

PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief provides funding and supplies to animals in need when disaster or emergency strikes. Learn more about this great group and make a donation to help support their work.

Moore-Oklahoma-Tornado-Update

The ASPCA is in contact with local authorities and are prepared to provide disaster recovery expertise and support as they’ve done in so many recent situations. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for updates and more news and go here to make a much needed donation to support their work with animals in need.

Printable Pet Coupons: $5 PetArmor, $3 Purina ONE, $2 Fresh Results Cat Litter + More

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Here are the latest free printable pet coupons for dog and cat parents. Several of these are high-value coupons so they won’t last long! Be sure to print them now and then you can hold them til you spot a sale or store coupons to stack them with:


B2G2 Free Purina Pro Plan cat food, 3oz cans
$3.00 off one Purina Pro Plan dry Cat Food, 7 lb
$5.00 off Any Two (2) PetArmor products
$0.99 off 1 bag of Dog Chow or Puppy Chow
Buy 3, Get 1 Free SHEBA can entrees
$2.00 off any one bag of FRESH RESULTS cat litter
$1.10 off any THREE (3) Temptations Treats