As cold temperatures combine with bitter wind chills, Penn State students are working with several organizations to bring attention to dogs left outside during the winter months.
Non-profit organization Dogs Deserve Better hopes to send 15,000 Valentines this week to dog owners nationwide and in Canada as part of its Have a Heart for Chained Dogs campaign week, which began Sunday and ends Valentine's Day. The cards contain dog-food coupons and information on the importance of dogs staying indoors.
Preparation for the campaign included a meeting Feb. 4 at the State College Area High School library, where about 25 people helped make Valentines.
"It seems to me that if I could, in whatever small way, help certain animals that are suffering, then I should do it," Boris Veltman (senior-international politics) said.
Last year, the group sent more than 12,000 Valentine's Day cards -- a significant increase from its first year in 2002, when it sent about 250.
"Our whole premise is based on the fact that dogs want to be with people," Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne said. "So to ostracize them from being with people is in effect wrong, and it's detrimental to them."
Thayne said the organization is looking for volunteers throughout the week to help reach its goal, stuffing Valentines, getting the addresses of chained dogs or raising money.
Her effort to raise awareness for suffering dogs has inspired other organizations to help send Valentines. Members of Pets Come First, a nonprofit all-volunteer organization, volunteered at the Feb. 4 gathering for Dogs Deserve Better.
Deb Warner, president and co-founder of Pets Come First, said her organization focuses on helping abandoned animals but has worked with Dogs Deserve Better in the past.
"There's problems out there, and we're trying to address some...and educate people," Warner said.
To volunteer, make a donation or report the address of a chained or penned dog, students can call Dogs Deserve Better toll-free at 1-877-636-1408 or e-mail info@dogsdeservebetter.org.
