New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Donation boosts animal shelter
EAST HAVEN — The East Haven Animal Shelter is $1,515 richer as a result of a recent donation from Ocean State Job Lot through the retailer’s “To the Rescue” charitable program.
The program benefits hundreds of animal welfare organizations across New England, New York and New Jersey. Local recipient organizations such as East Haven Animal Control were chosen by local customer nominations, Ocean State Job Lot said in a written release.
The “To the Rescue” program raised more than $320,000 in its first year, $64,000 of which will be distributed among dozens of animal welfare organizations in Connecticut.
“Ocean State Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation, in partnership with our loyal customers, has a long history of helping those in need, and that includes vulnerable animals in shelters and rescues,” said David Sarlitto, executive director of the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation.
“What’s really unique about our program is that our customers in each community where we do business, in tandem with local animal control officers, chose the animal organizations that were important to them,” Sarlitto wrote.
“All monies raised within each city or town are staying local,” he said. “We’ve been blown away by the response.”
The company also regularly donates pet supplies to regional animal welfare organizations. Typical donations include pet beds, chew toys, leashes, harnesses and food, the release stated.
Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in North Kingstown, R.I., and has local stores in East Haven, Orange, Milford, Clinton, Old Saybrook, Seymour, Naugatuck, Meriden and Waterbury.
The East Haven store is at 713 Foxon Road.