Kansas City Pet Project is perhaps best recognized for their adorable social media stories, but the nonprofit is a powerhouse in the animal welfare community, caring for over 16,000 animals a year in 14 locations throughout Missouri and Kansas. Founded in 2012, the organization not only focuses on adoption and pet safety, it also performs all animal control operations for Kansas City, Missouri.
In 2017, former Kansas City Mayor Sly James designated July 21 Kansas City Pet Project Day, an annual holiday honoring all the lives saved by KC Pet Project. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, known as the Vodka for Dog People, is again partnering with the animal shelter to match all donations up to $10,000 in support of the fifth annual holiday.
The care cost estimate for a healthy dog or cat during their stay at the shelter is $475, according to KC Pet Project, which includes food, shelter, vaccines, and spay or neuter surgeries. The nonprofit has a goal of raising $50,000 during the holiday, which would only cover costs for a little over ten percent of the animals currently in their care.
Social and progressive programs have become an integral part of KC Pet Project’s function. The Keep ‘Em Together, KC campaign increases pet retention by focusing on building community partnerships and expanding services, because they believe financial hardship should not force anyone to surrender a pet they love. Dog Days Out offers people the chance to take dogs out of the shelter for a few hours, a day, or a weekend, giving them time to get to know each other—and the dogs a much-needed break from an often stressful environment.
Everyone who donates $50 or more will be entered in a drawing for the Tito’s Vodka for Dog People prize (though you must be of legal drinking age to win). Five winners will be selected at random. Additionally, the top corporate fundraiser will win one free snuggle service, a two-hour puppy or kitten party for your office.
For more details, check out kcpetproject.org or @kcpetproject on Instagram.