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Thanks to Fressnapf, many pet owners in financial need can give their much-loved pets a Christmas gift this year. Scratching posts, blankets, toys, collars, baskets and much more - donated from the Fressnapf brands more4dogs and more4cats - are ready to be distributed to needy pet owners at Tiertafel Deutschland e.V.’s 19 centres across Germany to give their animals a bit of Christmas cheer. Fressnapf donated 13 palettes of pet items, which the Tiertafel will give away to pet owners who have to count every penny and barely know how they can make ends meet for their pet. "For needy people, pets are often the only thing they have left. Many homeless people and welfare recipients simply wouldn’t be able to give their pet a gift at Christmas without donations such as those from Fressnapf," says Claudia Hollm, founder and director of Tiertafel Deutschland e.V.

The gift giving will take place at Tiertafel centres on December 17th and 20th, the last distribution days before Christmas Eve. All needy pet owners will receive a Christmas gift bag full of treats and useful items for their four-legged friend. And to ensure plenty of festive spirit, Fressnapf also donated Christmas baking mixtures for "Nussi" and "Muffin" dog biscuits. Tiertafel employees baked some of the biscuits at home to be able to give them to dogs as part of the gift giving, or organised baking them together with pet owners. "At some centres, we hold a "Christmas bakery" together with school groups, which is something we particularly look forward to," says Claudia Hollm.

Fressnapf is a strong supporter of the Tiertafel’s voluntary work. "When we help animals, we help people too," explains Achim Schütz, company spokesman for Fressnapf Tiernahrungs GmbH. "Animals provide warmth, affection, a feeling of security and comfort. Many people feel instantly better when they have the company of a purring cat or dog with its tail wagging. Animals’ love and loyalty is unconditional and does not have to be worked for or earnt. A pet needs an owner to look after and care for it, which strengthens feelings of self worth and brightens the all too often bleak everyday life of people classed as socially weak," says Schütz.

The Tiertafel has existed since October 2006. Its principle is similar to charities that distribute food to the needy. However, in this case, the first line of help is for the animals of people in difficulty - Tiertafel Deutschland e.V. is a group that gives free feed, as well as donations in kind to pet owners who have trouble looking after their pet. Claudia Hollm set up the first distribution centre in Rathenow in Brandenburg. There are now 19 centres throughout Germany and more are planned. "We support pet owners in need, and not just with feed and accessories. We also work closely with experts to be able to offer professional help with pet problems in every city," explains the founder of the group.

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Fundraising campaign 2008: Christmas gifts for pet owners in need RGB - JPG Fressnapf/Ulrike Schanz Download (496KB)

Baking dog biscuits RGB - JPG Home-baked dog biscuits for needy pet owners: Fressnapf spokesman Achim Schütz (2nd from right) and Bettina Mews, head of the Tiertafel centre in Brüggen (left) grab a rolling pin and baking sheet in Brüggen so that homeless people and welfare recipients can give their pets some delicious festive cheer for Christmas. Photo: Fressnapf/Thomas Lammertz 17.12.2008 Download (450KB)