Healthy, Tail Waggin’ Treats

In the Fall of 2009, with the support from over 100 wonderful food bloggers, I organized the Healthy, Tail Waggin’ Treats Virtual Cookbook Fundraiser for the Alachua County Humane Society.

Recently, animal shelters nationwide have faced extremely difficult times with pet adoptions. The combination of a harsh economic climate and society’s preference for younger pets, has left many older dogs and cats without homes. Shelters have found themselves overwhelmed with the amount of animals they’re housing and greatly need additional assistance.

To help solve this unfortunate dilemma, in my Sales Management class, we were assigned an exciting philanthropic group project. Each group was assigned a local pet adoption agency to work with, and given a specific fundraising objective to meet. Being the food blogger that I am, I figured what better way to promote awareness for the Alachua County Humane Society, than my blog?

The 3 Exciting Steps:

1. Healthy, Tail Waggin’ Treats Giveaway

2. Announcing the Giveaway Winners

3. Cookbook Reveal

All donations went directly toward urgently needed pet supplies including pet food, animal crates, vaccines, flea protection, treatment for heartworm, cleaning materials, and more.

Media Attention:

The Gainesville Sun newspaper featured the Healthy, Tail Waggin’ Treats Cookbook Fundraiser in an article on December 4, 2009 titled, “UF Students Raise Money To Save Sheltered Pets’ Lives.“

“This class really opened my eyes … It was the best class I’ve ever taken,” said Shannon May, 21, a UF student from Clearwater.

Her group created the cookbook, “Healthy Tail Waggin’ Treats,” which featured more than 70 recipes including 16 “pet-friendly” items. May used her blog, Tropicaleats.com, to promote the idea.

People who donated to the Alachua County Humane Society online had the cookbook e-mailed to them. The effort raised more than $300, and the group raised more through an event at the Gelato Company.

Eric Van Ness, associate director of the Humane Society, said the idea of a virtual book is something that might be replicated because it requires less investment and looked nicer than a cheaply printed book. He said the three groups working with the Humane Society required just a short meeting with him before moving forward with their ideas.”

- Nathan Crabbe, The Gainesville Sun Staff Writer

Fundraising Figures:

• 2 Week Long Giveaway
• 7 Encouraging Sponsors
• 100+ Blogger Submissions
• 92 Page Virtual Cookbook
• 16 Pet Friendly Recipes
• $305 in Cookbook Donations
• $530 from additional fundraising
• Saving Animals’ Lives… Priceless :)

To donate toward this ongoing fundraiser, click here.

Thank you for your continued support!