Shiver Me Timbers: Puppy Pirates Raise Hundreds For Bucks Co. Housing Group

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center turned a swashbuckling day of pirate adventures into meaningful community support during its annual Pup-A-Palooza dog daycare celebration.

Donations totaled $1,550 and nearly 70 pounds of people and pet food were collected for the Bucks County Housing Group and the Doylestown Food Pantry.

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The pirate-themed event invited the daycare dogs, their families, and the Holiday House team to come aboard for a day of high-seas adventure and giving back. Canine buccaneers posed for special portraits in exchange for donations to benefit the Bucks County Housing Group. Dogs in the Explorer daycare program participated in themed enrichment activities.

"Pup-A-Palooza is one of those special events that brings together so much of what matters to our pet resort. The dogs experience something new and exciting, and together we turn that fun into a benefit for families in our community," said Katie Metzler, general manager of Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center. "We really appreciate our clients for contributing to the fundraiser and donating food."

Jennifer Ashenfelter (Holiday House Marketing Manager), Erik Clare (Bucks County Housing Group Executive Director), Katie Metzler (Holiday House General Manager), Amanda Diehl (Holiday House Operations Director) with pirate Josie, Ro Riley (Holiday House Daycare Manager), and Alan Raisman (Bucks County Housing Group Manager, Development, Marketing & Volunteer Engagement.

A People & Pet Food Drive held in conjunction with Pup-A-Palooza encouraged clients to bring nonperishable food for both people and pets. By the end of the campaign, nearly 70 pounds of donated food had been delivered to the Doylestown Food Pantry.

Including pet food in the food drive was especially important, said organizers, noting that when families experience
financial hardship, the cost of feeding a pet can add to an already difficult situation. Providing pet food can ease some of that burden while helping people continue caring for the dogs and cats who are important members of their families.

"We are incredibly grateful to Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center, their staff, and their clients for turning such a fun event into meaningful support for our neighbors. In July alone, our Doylestown Food Pantry served 153 unique households, which speaks to the continued need right here in our community. Contributions like this help us make sure families have access to food and other essential resources when they need them most. We especially appreciate the
inclusion of pet food because, for many of the people we serve, pets are part of the family. Helping people care for them is another way we can provide stability, dignity, and support
during a difficult time," said Erik Clare, Executive Director, Bucks County Housing Group.

The fun extended to pet parents, who joined the crew during afternoon pickup for complimentary refreshments and an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a treasure-filled Holiday House Pet Resort gift basket. Proceeds from the raffle contributed to the total donation.

Pup-A-Palooza also reflects Holiday House Pet Resort's approach to dog daycare: giving dogs opportunities to do more than simply play. Special events introduce new sights, sounds, activities, and experiences that engage dogs physically and mentally.