This week, The Petbarn Foundation, Petbarn’s charitable arm, announced the launch of its annual Tree of Hope Appeal to help save the lives of animals in need across Queensland.
With the generosity of the Australian community, The Petbarn Foundation hopes to raise $1.2m through the appeal. Customers can purchase a $3, $5 or $10 Christmas Tree decoration in store, or online, to help reach this year’s fundraising target.
Every time a Christmas Tree decoration is purchased, the Petbarn Foundation will donate to Petbarn’s adoption partners and rescue organisations across the state. All funds raised will help over 50 charities continue their important work caring for pets in need.
Petbarn Noosa Store Manager, Peter Auld, said, “At a time when community kindness is more important than ever, we are incredibly proud to be supporting this year’s Tree of Hope Appeal. We’re always amazed by the generosity of our customers and the support they show for our charity initiatives. This small act of kindness goes such a long way in giving animals the love and care they deserve.”
One of the charities that this year’s Tree of Hope Appeal will help is Empower Assistance Dogs in Queensland. Tracey Murray said, “Thanks to the support of the Petbarn Foundation and Petbarn’s customers through initiatives like the Tree of Hope Appeal, Empower Assistance Dogs can continue training all three types of service dogs – guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs.
“Our mission is to take a person with limited independence and open their world far more than they ever imagined by giving them a professionally trained, government certified, reliable working partner that just happens to have fur, floppy ears, dog breath and puppy eyes! With the help of the Appeal, during a time where donations have ceased, we can continue supporting those in need in our community such as Jordan and assistance dog Brax. Jordan is now 22 years old and leads a challenging life. He is intellectually impaired, autistic, non-verbal and copes with fine and gross motor skill difficulties, as well as behavioural issues. Now that Brax is in his life, Jordan has become more cooperative and willing to venture outside for walks and to socialise with others.”
Scott Charters, Chairperson of the Petbarn Foundation said, “By purchasing one of our Christmas Tree decorations, customers are giving a gift that gives back and helping these amazing organisations stay open and provide our four legged-friends a second chance at a happy and healthy life. This year has had a profound impact on communities across Australia and sadly animal shelters and pet charity groups are also doing it tough.”
The Petbarn Foundation’s Tree of Hope Appeal will run from now until Sunday 27 December.
Support from Petbarn customers in 2020 has helped the Petbarn Foundation donate $800,000 worth of pet supplies for pet parents affected by COVID-19, $1.3m in funds and supplies for bushfire-affected communities, $775,000 for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, $75,000 for Vets Beyond Borders to provide veterinary care and $50,000 for WIRES to help animals affected by bushfire and drought.
