Wash One Dog, Help Hundreds

Have a dirty dog? Stop by in Burlingame on Saturday and get Fido washed, all while benefitting the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA).

From 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., all pet wash token proceeds will go to CARDA, a volunteer organization providing search and rescue dog teams to missing people searches.

“For Pet Food Express, a pillar of our community, to choose us and to contribute so generously so we can better serve the community during emergencies is really an honor,” said CARDA President Eric Sheets in a statement.

CARDA dog teams respond to more than 300 searches per year, logging about 7,000 hours of service. Handlers of these dogs commonly contribute nearly 800 hours each year in training and searching. They train their own dogs and gather weekly for training groups.

In addition to time, handlers provide capital to the program, paying for the dogs and their living costs, veterinary care, travel expenses to search missions, additional training and CARDA organizational costs.

“The cost to train and provide Search and Rescue Dogs in an emergency are all borne by volunteer members,” Sheets said. “The monies raised will help reimburse some of their personal expense of travel and emergency vet costs when responding to Search and Rescue Missions.”

CARDA, founded in 1976, boasts more than 110 search dog teams and another 90 in training. Teams work in conjunction with the California Emergency Management Agency and County search and rescue teams. Dog teams’ responsibilities range from searching for missing hikers and children to helping out at major disasters.

All 41 Pet Food Express locations will participate in Saturday’s fundraiser. Cash donations will be accepted throughout the weekend, as well.

Last year, 10 Pet Food Express stores hosted a similar fundraiser, raising $15,000 for CARDA, used for veterinary care for injured search dogs and driving costs associated with searches.

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