Hello Happy Earth Community! We are excited to be in the midst of our 11th Annual Happy Earth Pet Drive!

No animal should have to go hungry, and with your aid, we can help ensure that our canine and feline neighbors in need have access to not just food, but litter, leashes, toys, treats, even medical supplies and pet furniture.

From June 1st through June 30th, we are collecting donations of pet food and supplies to support The Bond Between (formerly known as Secondhand Hounds, and People and Pets Together), a fantastic Minneapolis shelter and animal food shelf. Our goal is to collect 275 pounds of food and supplies and raise $500 in monetary donations.

Our Commitment to Animals and the Community

At Happy Earth, we love animals, and our commitment to their well-being is woven into the fabric of our company. As a pet-friendly cleaning service, we understand the deep bond between pets and their human families, and we strive to create a safe, clean environment for all members of the household. Most of our team members have animals at home, and meeting new fuzzy friends is often the highlight of the cleaning day! We use non-toxic cleaning products that are safe for all species, and we have special fur-grabbing vacuum attachments for those spots on the couch where your pet always sits.

Concern for Community is one of the 7 cooperative principles that guides us, and our pet supply drives are an essential part of how we live out this value. Over the past decade, we’ve partnered with various local organizations to ensure that pets in need receive the care and nourishment they deserve. Each year, our customers have generously contributed to this cause, making a significant impact on the lives of so many animals!

Interview with Kate from The Bond Between

We had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Sobraske from The Bond Between to get an inside perspective on the awesome work done by the group!

Tell us a little bit about The Bond Between. What sort of things do you do to help animals?

Kate: “The Bond Between started as a foster-based animal rescue and that remains the main pillar of the organization. We also have a vet center and an expansive suite of Community Engagement programs, including the pet food shelf, pet therapy visits to assisted living homes, Tribal Partnership wellness clinics, providing homes for hospice animals to live in comfort, and respite care for people who need to receive care away from their homes. We are who we say we are: our mission is to build, support, and reinforce the special bond between people and their animals.”

What do you enjoy most about your work with The Bond Between?

Kate: “As you would imagine, I’m a huge animals lover but, I have to say that the volunteers are the best part of the gig. We truly have the most amazing group of people involved and it’s a real privilege to be among them.”

What are some impacts that you’ve seen from your work?

Kate: “We have some great numbers to talk about here: The Bond Between is one of the biggest rescues in the state, one of the first rescues in the country with a vet center, and Minnesota’s first pet food shelf. But, for me, I think the most impactful engagements are the small, one-on-one moments: When someone has to stop working because of an illness, we can provide dog food so they are now able to pay their heat bill. We offer wellness services to people who live hours away from the nearest veterinarian’s office. Bringing animals into their forever homes. There are a lot of moments of beauty here.”

How can our followers help you out?

Kate: “There are so many options! Volunteering is fantastic and, with all the options we have, there’s something for everyone. Donations are always welcome; we are happy to take new or gently-used pet items. Monetary support is great, we have a lot of inroads to stretch dollars. And, finally, we ask that supporters talk about us, get the word out. There’s so much work to be done – so many lives to impact – and we couldn’t do it without the help of the community. ”

Volunteering

Happy Earthlings volunteered at the Bond Between’s pet food shelf in Minneapolis this week. It’s a building that used to be an ambulance dispatch, with several large garage-like areas perfect for sorting and storing donated goods. We spent several hours sorting, labeling, and packing donated pet food into boxes, the main focus being on wet cat food.

Cats can be picky with what they eat, and shoppers at the food shelf need to move through the small space quickly and still get the right items for their feline family. So Kate put us to work sorting cans and pouches of wet cat food into categories based on flavor and texture. Poultry, seafood, beef and lamb, pate, chunks in gravy, and more – we even encountered cans of wild boar and lobster!

Kitten food is in short supply, due to the shelter’s recent intake of some pregnant mama cats and babies. We placed those cans aside, along with any dog food or treats that were mixed in the donations.

We also spent some time labeling food with expiration dates, making it easier for the volunteers at the shelter to read those tiny numbers and feed the animals food that’s still fresh.

It was a great time! We had fun and it was so good to know that we helped both the animals and all the wonderful people who care about them.

How You Can Help

Your donations to our drive will directly impact pets in need by providing essential resources. Here’s how you can contribute and get involved:

  • Food and Supply Donations: Leave your donations in a clearly visible place with a note for our staff to pick up during your cleaning appointment. The Bond Between’s greatest needs include robust leashes for strong dogs, canned dog food, kitten and puppy food, and cat towers/scratchers.
  • Monetary Donations: Cash or check donations can also be left out (with a note) for pick up. Alternatively, you can donate directly to The Bond Between online. If you choose to donate online, please email a screenshot of your donation confirmation to nbartel@happyearthcleaning.com to be entered into our raffle.

Raffle for Cleaning Hours!

For every 5 pounds or $5 donated, you will earn one raffle ticket. There is no limit to the number of raffle tickets you can earn, so the more you donate, the higher your chances of winning! The prize? Three free hours of cleaning time! We will conduct the raffle once the pet drive concludes at the end of June.

Make a Difference

Please donate if you can and help us support pets in need. If you have any questions about this year’s pet drive, feel free to reach out to our team manager, Nolan, at nbartel@happyearthcleaning.com.