Best Buds Regional business, animal shelter launch adoptable pet of the week program By Francesca Saco The Healing Center and Animal Friends are teaming up to create happy tales for animals and families throughout the region. With the help of The Almanac, the medical cannabis dispensary and animal shelter are launching an adoptable pet of the week program to publicize available dogs, cats and rabbits to help them find their forever homes. Best Buds, as the program has been dubbed, started with an end-of-year charity event created by The Healing Center. "Every December we hold our Healing Hearts charity event, where patients can purchase a heart for a dollar. The patients put their favorite charity on the heart, and then all of the hearts are placed into a drawing. At the end of the event, one heart is selected and the money raised goes to the listed charity," Lisa Craig, The Healing Center's director of marketing, said. "This year's winner selected Animal Friends as their charity." The Healing Center 2020 Animal frimnds 253 00 To further support the cause, Craig placed special messaging at the dispensary's locations in Washington, Cranberry and Monroeville. "It was very well received," she said. "Our patients are really passionate about animals and really took a vested interest. We sold 1,438 hearts and we're matching our animals," Cody Hoellerman, patient's donations for a total of $3,000." Interested in doing more, they were eager to help inform animal for every family at the shelter." the community about pets in need. Chris Kohan (left) presenting a check from their Dog Days of Summer fundraiser to Animal Friends Animal Friends' chief com officer, said. "We truly believe there is an hity engagement "Animal Friends is facing so many challenges right now with Carrot Top, a white Rex rabbit, will kick off the pandemic," Craig said. "We're trying to work together to help get the word out." In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, Animal "She's curious and energetic, but once she Friends, located in Pittsburgh, offers low-cost pet care like spaying and neutering, vaccines, wellness exams and treatments like flea prevention. They also provide outreach, and sit in laps," Hoellerman said. education and therapeutic programming. the program. The seven-month-old rabbit was born in a foster home after the shelter accepted 30 rabbits from a single owner. expels that energy, she loves to snuggle Best Buds will be featured throughout 2021. While Hoellerman is hoping for weekly success stories, he's optimistic this program will create a trickle effect for other animals at the shelter. Carrot Top is available for adoption Chris Kohan, The Healing Center's co-founder, said their new partnership with Animal Friends has been natural. "We've supported Animal Friends independently in the past," he said. "We're excited to be a part of this." Sponsored content proudly provided by Animal Friends is grateful for the support. Each year, they rescue and rehome roughly 2,500 animals. Since the pandemic began, they've had to alter their adoption process as the shelter is closed for walk-in adoptions. Exposure, especially from corporate partners like The Healing Center, helps create "We really hope that people have the opportunity to reach out to us and let us know what they are looking for in a pet," he said. the almanac To learn more about Carrot Top and other Best Buds, visit thealmanac.net/bestbuds. To learn more about Animal Friends, their services and their current adoptable companions, visit thinkingoutsidethecage.org. vital awareness about the shelter and its services. Advertising Team "We hope that this partnership and the resulting pieces will shed light on the amazing animals that can be found in a shelter and clear up any misconceptions about shelter Best Buds Regional business, animal shelter launch adoptable pet of the week program By Francesca Saco The Healing Center and Animal Friends are teaming up to create happy tales for animals and families throughout the region. With the help of The Almanac, the medical cannabis dispensary and animal shelter are launching an adoptable pet of the week program to publicize available dogs, cats and rabbits to help them find their forever homes. Best Buds, as the program has been dubbed, started with an end-of-year charity event created by The Healing Center. "Every December we hold our Healing Hearts charity event, where patients can purchase a heart for a dollar. The patients put their favorite charity on the heart, and then all of the hearts are placed into a drawing. At the end of the event, one heart is selected and the money raised goes to the listed charity," Lisa Craig, The Healing Center's director of marketing, said. "This year's winner selected Animal Friends as their charity." The Healing Center 2020 Animal frimnds 253 00 To further support the cause, Craig placed special messaging at the dispensary's locations in Washington, Cranberry and Monroeville. "It was very well received," she said. "Our patients are really passionate about animals and really took a vested interest. We sold 1,438 hearts and we're matching our animals," Cody Hoellerman, patient's donations for a total of $3,000." Interested in doing more, they were eager to help inform animal for every family at the shelter." the community about pets in need. Chris Kohan (left) presenting a check from their Dog Days of Summer fundraiser to Animal Friends Animal Friends' chief com officer, said. "We truly believe there is an hity engagement "Animal Friends is facing so many challenges right now with Carrot Top, a white Rex rabbit, will kick off the pandemic," Craig said. "We're trying to work together to help get the word out." In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, Animal "She's curious and energetic, but once she Friends, located in Pittsburgh, offers low-cost pet care like spaying and neutering, vaccines, wellness exams and treatments like flea prevention. They also provide outreach, and sit in laps," Hoellerman said. education and therapeutic programming. the program. The seven-month-old rabbit was born in a foster home after the shelter accepted 30 rabbits from a single owner. expels that energy, she loves to snuggle Best Buds will be featured throughout 2021. While Hoellerman is hoping for weekly success stories, he's optimistic this program will create a trickle effect for other animals at the shelter. Carrot Top is available for adoption Chris Kohan, The Healing Center's co-founder, said their new partnership with Animal Friends has been natural. "We've supported Animal Friends independently in the past," he said. "We're excited to be a part of this." Sponsored content proudly provided by Animal Friends is grateful for the support. Each year, they rescue and rehome roughly 2,500 animals. Since the pandemic began, they've had to alter their adoption process as the shelter is closed for walk-in adoptions. Exposure, especially from corporate partners like The Healing Center, helps create "We really hope that people have the opportunity to reach out to us and let us know what they are looking for in a pet," he said. the almanac To learn more about Carrot Top and other Best Buds, visit thealmanac.net/bestbuds. To learn more about Animal Friends, their services and their current adoptable companions, visit thinkingoutsidethecage.org. vital awareness about the shelter and its services. Advertising Team "We hope that this partnership and the resulting pieces will shed light on the amazing animals that can be found in a shelter and clear up any misconceptions about shelter