MARTIN'S uses a logo that says “Living Here, Giving Here” and the Richmond SPCA can attest to the fact that these are not just empty words but rather are backed up by real action. It is interesting that the logo has a graphic of a heart in a home and that is what I have always believed our pets are for us. Whether you have a cat or a dog or both of them, our pets greet us when we return home, cuddle with us when we relax, stay right next to us when we are sick or when we have to work late into the night and play with us joyfully when we are ready for fun. They are at the very center of the love and comfort that make our houses homes. There are so many wonderful pets living in loving homes in this community and so many people who have all of the love, pleasure and comfort that pets provide as a result of the generosity of MARTIN'S.
A bit of history is valuable. For years, we had a wonderful relationship with Ukrop's Super Markets which provided all of the food, treats and litter needed by the pets in our humane center. We had always been a primary beneficiary of their Golden Gift receipt program since so many of their customers named the Richmond SPCA as the recipient of the donation allocable to their receipts. As you might imagine, when we heard that Ukrop's was being sold to MARTIN'S, an out-of-town business, we were very concerned that the generous support we had enjoyed for our homeless pets might be at risk. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The folks from MARTIN'S met with us early on and assured us that the support was not in jeopardy. As months and years have passed, what we have found is a truly committed and energetic supporter and partner in MARTIN'S.
They not only provide but deliver all of the adult and puppy and kitten food that we need as well as treats for our shelter pets and for use in our training programs and the litter needed for our kitties. Their generosity in providing the food we need allows us to utilize the wonderful food donations that we receive from individuals and other sources to stock our Pet Pantry so as to ensure that folks in economic hardship will be able to feed their pets they love. Martin’s even provides us with thousands of jars of baby food each year which are essential in our clinic for both our tiny puppies and kittens and for those very sick and emaciated adults in our care that will often eat baby food but nothing else. In addition, MARTIN'S has provided fruit and water for the folks who turn out for our Dog Jog and 5K Run each year at the Runner Recovery Tent and has provided tote bags to be used at our Fur Ball. Jim Scanlon, MARTIN'S Regional Vice President, is a dedicated member of our Board of Directors and a committed personal supporter.
It is important to us that our supporters, and everyone in this community who loves animals, know that MARTIN'S has done so much to ensure that we are able to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals each year. They have done these things generously, dependably and without fanfare. They have been great friends to us, responsible corporate citizens and great animal lovers. Theodore Roosevelt said “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” Those words are very much like, “Living Here, Giving Here.” Martin’s lives those words every day through their real actions in our community. This comes with my sincere thanks.
Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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