On Thursday, December 18, 2014 we celebrated our 5th Annual Holiday Party and Pet Food Drive in Babylon, NY. Pet professionals from all over Long Island, Queens and even New Jersey came out to enjoy a festive night of networking, holiday cheer and giving back. Our 5th year marked well over 2,500lbs of pet food that has been brought by attendees over the years to benefit local pet food pantries across Long Island. 
When our first holiday party took place back in December of 2010, I was trying to think of a way to give back to those who needed help with their pets without specifically targeting one group or rescue organization. Why? Well for one we were, in the middle of a very hard recession and two, the stories that were flooding in about pet parents either not eating nutrious food themselves in order to still be able feed their pets, or worse having to give their pets up altogether. Heartbreaking. So how could we make the holidays better for pets and their parents with our holiday party? That’s how it started. It may not be a kibble drop or a tractor trailer full of pet food, but every bit helps!
While we are in much better times now, and you hear those stories less often, thankfully – there are still many people who do need help in feeding their pets. They may have fallen on hard times and their pet is the best source of comfort, joy and of course a family member – so I am so glad they have somewhere to turn for help. This year we once again partnered with Long Island Cares and donated pet food for their Baxter pet food pantry. It’s not something the average person thinks of daily, that someone may not be able to keep their pet due to not being able to feed them. I am so grateful for our attendees for bringing big bags of pet food, and of course to Long Island Cares for providing the service to pet owners.
We enjoyed our evening, and I personally witnessed so much incredible networking and camaraderie happening, in our Santa hats of course! 
This is what our organization is all about – working together, helping each other, learning, referring and recomending each other and help our pet communities.
Our class photo is becoming a tradition now at our events! And a big thanks to Tom Mazorlig, Editor-in-Cheif of Pet Age Magazine and Rebekah Harrison, Editorial Assitant of Pet Age Magazine who came from New Jersey and braved the NY traffic to be part of our event!
Another way companies gave back to the pet industry was by donating their products for our goody bags. Again, I am so thankful for the companies that opened up their hearts and sent us boxes and boxes of goodies for the pet professional to enjoy.
A big thanks to the following companies who did so, I know our attendees were very happy to get them. And of course any left over product has been donated to local animal shelters here.
I am already thinking about next year’s party and how we can make an even bigger impact! To see a LOT more pictures, click here. ]]>