Two local animal welfare organizations will get a few of their holiday wishes granted from a State College pet store.

Each year, the PETCO Foundation has a "Tree of Hope" fund-raiser that donates money to local animal welfare organizations.

This year, Centre County PAWS, 1042 Benner Pike, and the Nittany Beagle Rescue, P.O. Box 1142 in Lemont, are the local recipients.

The fund-raising campaign began yesterday and ends Dec. 24.

Shawn Underwood, PETCO spokesman, said the "Tree of Hope" fund-raiser raised more than $2 million last year, and the foundation hopes to exceed that total this year.

"It's a time associated with giving," he said. "People really respond to that."

Customers can donate $1, $5, $10 and $20 at the local PETCO store, 40 Colonnade Way. When customers make a donation, they receive a card ornament and they can put their name on the ornament and place it on the store window. People who make a $20 donation receive a snow globe ornament.

"From our perspective, it says something about our customers' concern for other animals that they give generously to this event," Underwood said.

This is the "Tree of Hope" campaign's fourth year.

"We've always advocated helping animal welfare groups since 1965 [when PETCO began]," Underwood said. "We've started looking at ways to raise money for animal welfare."

He added that the economy does not influence whether customers donate to the cause. "They continue to give to animals," Underwood said.

The organizations chosen are all nonprofit agencies, and they are encouraged to show their animals at a PETCO store.

Nittany Beagle Rescue recently received nonprofit status, and this is the first time the organization was selected to receive funds from the campaign.

Cathy Kassab, the Nittany Beagle Rescue adoption and foster home coordinator and PAWS dog adoption coordinator, said, "This is a good opportunity. We're excited."

Nittany Beagle Rescue shows its beagles on the first Sunday of every month, and PAWS shows its animals on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the month.

Both organizations will use the money from the PETCO Foundation to pay for general care expenses, such as spaying and neutering.

Underwood said PETCO works with 2,300 pet organizations across the country. "We try to work with as many groups as possible," Underwood said.

PETCO General Manager Judy Leidhecker said the response has been excellent in the past. "Everyone is generally happy to give," she said. "It helps all the pets tremendously."

Customers can also purchase items from the store and donate the items to the animal welfare organizations. PETCO has a list of needed items for the pets, and people can choose items from the list.

"It's a good way for the rescues to get needed supplies," Kassab said.

Centre County PAWS President and Penn State biology professor Carla Hass said the nonprofit organization was supported by a lot of different businesses in the community.

"PAWS has no paid staff. We depend on the generosity of the community," Hass said. "That's where all of our funds come from."

Hass said the "Tree of Hope" campaign has a few benefits.

"I think it raises community awareness and helps to promote responsible ownership of companion animals," she said.