By Megan Melton
The July 4 holiday may have passed, but local shoppers can still express their patriotism and support a good cause by purchasing American flag bandanas at Pet Valu through Sept. 11.
Pet Valu, which opened in Boone Village in April, will donate proceeds to the United States War Dog Association to support retired war dogs and their pet parents. War dogs are those that served as scouts, sentries, trackers or were trained to perform other tasks in war with their handlers.
For a $5 donation, customers will receive a bandana and write their name on a paper paw to display in the store. Proceeds will help fund equipment and transportation for veteran war dogs back to the U.S. after service and adoptions. They have also helped fund the creation of the Rainbow Bridge Assistance program, which covers the cost of euthanasia and cremation of retired, working dogs.
“Pet Valu felt that the U.S. War Dogs Association would be a great charity that our customers and employees would really get behind and support,” said Anna DiGregorio, Pet Valu’s director of marketing.
Last year the store raised more than $400,000 for the cause, and they say they are expecting to top that amount this year.
“Pet Valu prides itself in being part of the local community,” DiGregorio said. “The fundraiser has become a company-wide program across all of our U.S. stores for the past six years.”
Customers are encouraged to share photos of pets wearing the bandanas on social media using the hashtag #PatrioticPets.
