The Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS) is extending its gratitude to the community following much-better-than-expected sales of locally designed and printed hoodies ("bunnyhugs" in Saskatchewanian) that have seriously helped the shelter out this year.
"The first order we did was only a pre-paid pre-order, in two different colours, and we sold 70 hoodies, just like that," explained Donna Fritzke.
Fritzke is the fundraising co-ordinator at the MJHS and was interviewed alongside an adorable (and adoptable, by the way) three-month-old Huskie mix named Akita.
"From there, we went to all the colours, and then people were saying, 'Well, why don't you have children's hoodies?' So, we started carrying those, and it's just been an incredible year, because we've sold something like 500 hoodies."
The pet art design on the hoodies was created by local artist Skye Mercier, who does custom pet portraits. The hoodies are ordered and printed by the Moose Jaw Express. A limited-edition pre-order Christmas run earlier this year offered a version of the hoodie where the pets are wearing Santa hats. Mercier's design will also be incorporated into the MJHS' new wrap for their mobile services cube van.
"Skye Mercier did a great job for us, she just knocked it out of the park. It's been a lot of fun, we take the hoodies everywhere with us, they're so popular I actually sell them out of my car sometimes," Fritzke explained, laughing as she dodged Akita's enthusiastic affection.
"We also have them for sale now at Tourism Moose Jaw, who have really supported us with this, and at the Starlight Handmade Market, so you can buy them at three places.
"Tourism Moose Jaw was also selling books for us, and they had visitors stopping in who just thought it was so wonderful that they were working with the local animal shelter, and to see how the community works together."
The MJHS is now carrying the hoodies in pretty much every size and colour, plus crew necks and t-shirts both short- and long-sleeved. They have had families buy one for each member, and businesses (shout out to Valley Farm and Ranch) buying hoodies in bulk for clients and employees.
It's all part of crucial community support for the Humane Society, which cares for over 1,000 animals every year. They have affordable spay/neuter programs, provide shelter, care, and adoption for strays, and reunite lost pets with their families, among many other purposes. They are supported by the City of Moose Jaw, generous volunteers, passionate employees, and local businesses.
Hoodie prices are:
- Hoodies - $60
- Kid’s hoodies - $40
- Crew necks - $55
- Short sleeved t-shirts - $35
- Long sleeved t-shirts - $45
Other fundraisers include the annual $10,000 '4 Paws' Lottery, sales from the onsite MJHS bookstore (books, puzzles, colouring books, and snuffle mats), and an animal behaviour class for children that started just this year.
There is also a 'Paws for the Season' Holiday Gift Giving Catalogue, which gives the option to buy sponsorships as Christmas presents. Options include sponsoring the adoption of a dog or cat; a $500 emergency medical care gift; a week's shelter stay for a dog or cat; or the sponsorship of food, beds, toys, vaccinations, and more.
Learn more about how to support the MJHS at mjhs.ca, and at facebook.com/moosejawhumanesociety.
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