Money Raised at Pet Expo to Impact 2,500 Students

BEL AIR, MD, January 31, 2013 (Press-News.org) In an effort to promote pet responsibility at an early age, the Pet Care Trust, with the assistance of the World Pet Association and other pet-related businesses, raised over $8,000 for the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program during America's Family Pet Expo, held November 3-4 in Puyallup, Washington. The money raised will go directly to helping approximately 50 teachers enhance their classrooms and curriculum through the aid of classroom pets, impacting nearly 2,500 students.

The World Pet Association, host of America's Family Pet Expo, donated booth space to the Pet Care Trust at the annual event held in Puyallup, Washington. At the Expo, the Pet Care Trust hosted a betta fish toss, aquarium raffle, and discounted pet store to raise funds for their Pets in the Classroom program, a grant program supporting responsible pet care in schools by providing direct, no-hassle grants to teachers to purchase or maintain pets in the classroom.
The betta fish toss booth, which gave attendees the chance to win a betta fish by throwing a ball into a cup, raised $1,329 for the program. The fish and supplies were donated by Hikari USA.

The raffle, which was held at the educational exhibit called the "Aquatic Experience," allowed attendees to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a treasure trove of donated aquariums, stands, fish and aquatic supplies. $988 was raised through the raffle.

The Pet Care Trust store, which sold donated pet supplies at a discounted price, raised roughly $6,000. The store was made possible through the donation of goods and resources from the following pet suppliers and organizations: CaribSea Inc., United Pet Group, Aqueon / Central Aquatics, Seachem Laboratories, Hikari Sales U.S.A. Inc., Fluval / Rolf C. Hagen, U.S.A., Inc., Terrascapes, Cobalt International, Segrest Farms, Sea Dwelling Creatures, and Bio Bubble Pets LLC.

"The Pets in the Classroom program has awarded more than 20,000 grants, allowing more than 1 million students to experience the joy of a pet," noted Pet Care Trust executive director Steve King. "The support we have received from WPA and the many companies that donated products and prizes has been instrumental in the continued growth of this wonderful program."

To make a contribution to The Pet Care Trust to support the Pets in the Classroom program, visit http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/donations/. A $150 donation will support one classroom pet, or you can support three classrooms with a $500 gift. Please help us reach our goal of reaching 5 million kids with a classroom pet.