The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation Finishes 2017 Strong, Helping 89 Dogs in Need by Granting More Than $150,000

Camp Bow Wow Heightens Focus on its Nonprofit and Successfully Increases Total Number of Dog Medical Grants Year-over-Year

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Camp Bow Wow

Jan 11, 2018, 10:07 ET

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to awarding grants of up to $2,500 to cover the cost of unplanned, necessary medical care for dogs in need, gave a new 'leash' on life to 40% more deserving dogs in 2017. By year end, the Foundation granted over $150,000 to provide 89 dogs with necessary medical attention. To kick off 2018 and to continue the strong momentum of helping even more sick and injured dogs in need, visit www.bowwowbuddies.com/donate.

Ten-year-old Hannah Okel asked for donations to the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation in lieu of birthday gifts.

Cricket, a recent grant recipient of The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation

The organization is the 501(c)(3) entity of Camp Bow Wow®, the nation's largest and leading Doggy Day Care and Boarding franchise. The Foundation focuses efforts on dogs who are placed in shelters/rescues, as well as on families facing hardships. Through its contributions, the nonprofit provides a lifeline to ease financial burdens to keep dogs happy and healthy in their current homes or helps ensure they will find a fur-ever family.

"In 2017, we saw the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation gain unprecedented traction as it received support from our franchise owners' Camps throughout the country as well as through clients and community members," said Erin Askeland, Training & Communication Manager for Camp Bow Wow and the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation. "Local initiatives and events hosted at Camps, in addition to dedicated patrons such as ten-year-old Hannah Okel of Waukesha, Wisconsin who asked for donations to the Foundation in lieu of birthday gifts, prove we've built a strong network of those who are passionate about fundraising and supporting the Foundation's cause."

One of the many deserving dogs helped by the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation in 2017 was Cricket, a 3.5-month-old Pit Bull mix. She fell out of a three-story window, sustaining injuries requiring amputation of her front leg and a femoral head and neck osteotomy. After receiving this critical prognosis, Players for Pits, an Illinois-based 501(c)(3) no-kill rescue, placed an application with the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation seeking immediate assistance for Cricket's surgeries.

By being awarded this grant, Players for Pits was able to rehabilitate Cricket with the best quality veterinarian care to prepare her for adoption once she is completely healed. Allowing this puppy to avoid living in extreme pain is one instance which exemplifies the important role the Foundation plays for rescues that would otherwise not be able to provide the needed medical funds.

In 2018, the Foundation will continue to engage its franchisees, clients and community members through meaningful fundraising programs. The first one will kick off with Valentine's Day, during which Campers can share the love with their furry friends by sending a card to other Campers for a donation to the Foundation. Through such fundraisers, Camp Bow Wow plans to sustain its strong momentum and help provide additional aid for dogs, aiming to support more than 100 dogs throughout the year.

For more information about Camp Bow Wow, the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, to find a location near you, or to become a franchise owner, please visit www.campbowwow.com. To support the Foundation and to help dogs in need, please visit www.bowwowbuddies.com/donate.

About Camp Bow Wow®:

In 16 years, Camp Bow Wow, the largest pet care franchise, has sold more than 180 franchises in 42 states and Canada. The company is a $100+ million dollar brand, with over 140 open locations and more than 40 in the process of opening across North America. For the third consecutive year, the company is ranked #1 in the pet care category in Entrepreneur's 2018 Franchise 500 list and named in Entrepreneur's 2017 Best of the Best List. The Camp concept provides the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its Campers, and peace of mind for their parents. Dogs romp together in an open-play environment and pricing is all-inclusive. The Westminster, Colorado-based company started franchising in 2003, and today over 70% of franchises have women in ownership positions. In addition to day care and overnight Camp, the company also offers in-home pet care, grooming services and a rewards-based dog training program. Since September 2017, Camp Bow Wow is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated.

About The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation:

When the going gets ruff, the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation helps support the health and happiness of our four-legged friends to keep them in their forever homes. The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation provides grants of up to $2,500 for individuals, shelters, and rescue groups across North America who cannot afford necessary medical care for a particular dog. Individuals may apply for a grant when they are struggling to cover the cost of their dog's veterinary care, and a shelter or rescue group may apply for a grant for a dog who is awaiting adoption pending veterinary care. The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, make a donation, or apply for a Bow Wow Buddies Foundation grant, please visit www.bowwowbuddies.com.

SOURCE Camp Bow Wow