PARSIPPANY — Pet Valu, a premium pet supplies and accessories chain, and The United States War Dogs Association are pairing up once again for their 7th annual Patriotic Pets campaign to support military service dogs. The fundraiser – which kicks off on the Fourth of July and runs through September 11 – invites Pet Valu customers to purchase an American flag bandana for five dollars or a Paper Paw to hang in the store’s window for an amount of their choosing. Pet Valu is located at 3053 Route 46, Morris Hills Shopping Center.

Proceeds from the fundraiser help U.S. War Dogs cover the costs of transporting veteran war dogs back to the U.S. after service and finding them forever homes, memorializing fallen four-legged soldiers, and providing dogs with state-of-the-art equipment to support them overseas and back home. They have also led to the creation of the organization’s Rainbow Bridge Assistance Program, which funds the euthanasia and cremation of retired military, contractor, TSA and Secret Service working dogs, and its free prescription drug program, which provides families of adopted veteran dogs expensive medications crucial for the dogs’ health at no cost.

Pet Valu’s campaign also supports services to reunite military service dogs with their handlers, including Mission K9 Rescue, a Chapter 6 organization of U.S. War Dogs that facilitates reunions at no cost to the military service members. To date, they’ve reunited more than 60 K9 and handler teams, including U.S. Marine Sgt. Seth Hill and his dog Bbazy after their 2011-2012 tour together in Afghanistan.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to give Bbazy the retirement she deserves after all she has done for me. She saved my life and many other Marines,” said Sgt. Hill.

The annual fundraiser has become one of Pet Valu’s most popular customer events, raising more than $1.2 million for U.S. War Dogs since it started in 2010.

“Most of the fundraisers we do throughout the year go toward supporting the pets in need in our local communities. With Patriotic Pets, our customers have a chance to contribute toward our four-legged heroes all over the world,” said Joe Dent, vice president and U.S. general manager for Pet Valu. “Every special bandana purchased at Pet Valu stores through September 11 helps the dogs that have served our country overseas and would not otherwise have the opportunity to return home to the U.S.”

The U.S. War Dogs fundraiser kicks off during one of Pet Valu’s most successful years in raising money for important animal causes, including some of the highest amounts ever recorded in the company’s philanthropic history.

A glance at the 2017 cumulative totals for Pet Valu’s fundraising events show:

· 2,764 homeless cat and dog adoptions facilitated with local shelters

· 36,157 bags (a value of $211,148) of kitty litter donated to local shelters

· $171,215 raised for America’s VetDogs

· $164,584 raised for local animal cruelty prevention groups by 2017 calendar sales

· $56,407 raised for Animal Cancer Foundation Dog Wash Fund

· $478,763 raised for local animal shelters during Pet Appreciation Month in April

For more information about Pet Valu click here.

About Pet Valu

Pet Valu is a specialty retailer of premium pet food, treats, toys and accessories. Their pet-friendly stores offer over 7,000 products including holistic and premium brands of pet foods and treats as well as a wide selection of essential and innovative pet supplies to suit every budget. Chain-wide, Pet Valu is dedicated to helping local pets in need and by partnering with local shelters, rescues and charities through national donation drives and fundraising campaigns. Pet Valu employees are Pet Experts and pet lovers, too.

About The United States War Dogs Association

The United States War Dogs Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization of former and current U.S. Military Dog Handlers and supporting members committed to promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs, establishing permanent War Dog Memorials and educating the public about the invaluable service of these canines to the United States.

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