MANY, MANY THANKS to all who donated to the pet
food drive held in August! This was our fi rst food drive
and your contributions were great: 69 pounds of dry food,
84 tins of canned food, and 7 bags of treats. Three animal
groups were the recipients of your generosity: The Humane
Society, Casa de Los Gatos, and Animals’ Crusaders.

The Humane Society and Animals’ Crusaders donate
pet food to low income families. Both also provide low
cost spay and neuter services. Animals’ Crusaders provides
some wonderful care for animals on the San Xavier Indian
Reservation: mange and tick dips, laying down food for the
homeless ones, and picking up dogs that need to be spayed
or neutered. The dogs are taken to their clinic, “fi xed,” and
then returned. Casa de Los Gatos is the largest no-kill
animal shelter in Arizona with hundreds of cats housed in
cage-free environments. Their story is rather amazing
considering they just started in 2005. How awesome it
is that we were able to help these groups thanks to your
generous donations of food!

Please remember that the need in the many animal rescue
groups is year ‘round and the donation bin is always in
the foyer. Food and new or gently used leashes, collars, beds,
blankets, sheets and towels are continually needed.
Upcoming Events: Sunday, January 31st, Celebration
of Your Pet’s Life will be held after second service and
Saturday, February 27th, 9:00 am. Blessing of the
Animals will be held in the gazebo.

The Pet Ministry holds these events annually, collects
and distributes pet food and supplies to local animal groups,
and provides a resource book for general information on pet
care in our desert environment (currently undergoing revision).
To contact the Pet Ministry, e-mail busypaws@msn.com or call the church office, 577.3300.

by Sheila Bowden