Last night dog-lovers united by preparing special valentine gifts for chained or penned dogs across the country and abroad as part of "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week."

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB), a non-profit organization, began the annual event on Wednesday as part of a weeklong event to raise awareness of dogs kept in harsh conditions.

Tammy Grimes, founder of DDB, began the organization five years ago after nearly six years of watching her neighbor's dog suffer. She was finally able to rescue the canine, which prompted her to take a stance for other dogs in need of help.

"We work to bring dogs out of the backyard and into the home and family," Grimes said.

The organization sent out over 5,000 valentines last year, and hopes to increase that number to 8,000 this year, Grime said.

"This is our biggest campaign of the year," said Amy Smith, State College DDB representative.

The State College event took place in the State College Area High School library where 4,000 envelopes were being prepared for the dogs.

Volunteers worked happily alongside one another stuffing envelopes with red and pink handmade valentines, coupons for dog treats and an informative brochure about the organization. The volunteers passed the time in a room filled with music and laughter, while munching on nacho chips, pretzels and donuts.

Betty Jo Houser began her volunteer work three years ago with DDB when she was transporting a dog the organization had saved.

"I have two dogs, a boxer and a beagle-mix. I'm an absolute dog lover -- it consumes my entire life," Houser said.

Eric Bunge (junior-kinesiology) is also a three-year veteran of the "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week."

Bunge said he began volunteering his time because he felt it necessary to take action on a cause that he felt strongly about.

When asked how many envelopes he expected to stuff, Bunge said with a smile, "Five hundred tonight."

This was the first year of volunteering for this particular event for Tracy Frank, a Bellefonte resident. She learned about the organization when her husband participated in the Chain Off over the summer.

The Chain Off is another major campaign that DDB holds annually. Participants take turns chaining themselves to a doghouse to demonstrate how inhumane the act is.

Although Frank doesn't have any dogs of her own, she is a self-proclaimed "animal lover."

Students of all ages from different schools, church groups and other organizations across the country made the valentines, which were then sent to DDB.

DDB collects the addresses of dogs in need of this special gift, and then delivers the package to the family.

According to Smith, another gathering will be held tomorrow in Bellwood to stuff another 4,000 envelopes and fulfill this year's quota.

Dogs Deserve Better started as a local non-profit organization, and has spread nation-wide with representatives in 37 states, and Canada and Australia, said Smith.