The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation Helps 60 Dogs in 2016

The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation Raises Impressive Funds to Benefit Dogs in Need and Kicks Off 2017 with Inspiring Donations

Read the full release here.2016 was a year marked by impactful philanthropic growth for the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing urgent medical care funds to sick and injured dogs who are either homeless or whose parents cannot afford to pay their veterinary bills by awarding grants of up to $2,500. The organization is the 501(c)(3) arm of Camp Bow Wow®, the nation's largest and leading Doggy Day Care and Boarding franchise. The Foundation raised over $150,000 in 2016 and as a result, provided more than 60 deserving dogs across North America with a new 'leash' on life. The brand, which is ranked #1 in the 2016 and 2017 pet category on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, worked with all facets of the company including its corporate team, franchisees, clients and community donors in order to reach this charitable milestone.

One heartwarming 2016 Foundation donor was Hannah Okel of Waukesha, Wisconsin, whose fundraising story is characteristic of the altruistic Camp Bow Wow community. Hannah turned ten this February – but in lieu of gifts for her double digit milestone, she asked family and friends to make donations to the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation in her name. In total, the generous ten-year-old raised an impressive $4,300 to support the Foundation. Donations to the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation often originate from instances like Hannah's, where Camps inspire local community members of all ages to better the lives of furry friends near and far. The Foundation's grant program motivates Camp Bow Wow franchisees and patrons alike to dedicate themselves to raising funds for imperative veterinary care that pet parents or shelters would otherwise not be able to provide.

"Camp Bow Wow established the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation because our organization is committed to quality care for all animals, not just our own Campers," said Erin Askeland, Training & Communication Manager for Camp Bow Wow and the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation. "Giving back is at the core of the franchise's mission. Our Foundation provides each franchisee the opportunity for direct involvement in charitable animal care, which appeals to the businessperson with benevolence on the brain."

The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation plans to execute creative and engaging fundraising programs on both national and local levels to help care for even more dogs in 2017. 2016 Foundation grantee Zeke, a 5-year-old Labrador, was an unclaimed stray when he was discovered with a torn ACL in the Golden, Colorado area. Without reparative surgery, he was not eligible for adoption through a local shelter. A grant from the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation helped cover the cost of Zeke's procedure, after which he was adopted into his 'fur-ever family' and returned to an even happier, pain-free life. Through the activation and inspiration of fundraising initiatives on behalf of dogs like Zeke, whose medical treatments are essential to their quality of life, Camp Bow Wow intends to maintain its strong momentum and continue securing meaningful results for its Foundation in 2017.