Best Buds - Adoptable pet of the week program has early success By Francesca Sacco The Healing Center and Animal Friends have "We've supported Animal Friends teamed up to create happy tales for animals independently in the past," he said. and families throughout the region. With the help of The Almanac, the medical Animal Friends is grateful for the cannabis dispensary and animal shelter have support. Each year, they rescue launched an adoptable pet of the week program and rehome roughly 2,500 animals. to publicize available dogs, cats and rabbits to Since the pandemic began, they've help them find their forever homes. After launching last month, the program has already secured forever homes to two of their adoptions. Exposure, especially Best Buds - Rory and Eugene (pictured). "Every December we hold our Healing Hearts Healing Center, helps create vital charity event, where patients can purchase awareness about the shelter and a heart for a dollar. The patients put their its services. favorite charity on the heart, and then all of the hearts are placed into a drawing. At the "We hope that this partnership and end of the event, one heart is selected and the resulting pieces will shed light the money raised goes to the listed charity," on the amazing animals that can Eugene Lisa Craig, The Healing Center's director of be found in a shelter and clear up marketing, said. "This year's winner selected any misconceptions about shelter Animal Friends as their charity." "We're excited to be a part of this." had to alter their adoption process as the shelter is closed for walk-in from corporate partners like The ADOPTED! animals," Cody Hoellerman, To further support the cause, Craig placed Animal Friends' chief community special messaging at the dispensary's locations engagement officer, said. "We in Washington, Cranberry and Monroeville. "It was very well received," she said. "Our every family at the shelter." patients are really passionate about animals Best Buds will continue to be and really took a vested interest. We sold featured throughout 2021. While 1,438 hearts and we're matching our patient's Hoellerman is hoping for more donations for a total of $3,000." Interested in doing more, they were eager to optimistic this program will create help inform the community about pets in need. a trickle effect for other animals at "Animal Friends is facing so many challenges the shelter. right now with the pandemic." Craig said. "We're We really hope that people have trying to work together to help get the word out." In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, us and let us know what they are Animal Friends, located in Pittsburgh, offers looking for in a pet," he said. low-cost pet care like spaying and neutering, vaccines, wellness exams and treatments like To see the current list of Best Buds, flea prevention. They also provide outreach, education and therapeutic programming. truly believe there is an animal for weekly success stories, he's ADOPTED! the opportunity to reach out to Rory visit thealmanac.net/bestbuds. To learn more about Animal Friends, their services and their current visit Sponsored content brought to you by Chris Kohan, The Healing Center's co-founder, said their new partnership with Animal Friends adoptable has been natural. companions, thinkingoutsidethecage.org. The Healing Center Best Buds - Adoptable pet of the week program has early success By Francesca Sacco The Healing Center and Animal Friends have "We've supported Animal Friends teamed up to create happy tales for animals independently in the past," he said. and families throughout the region. With the help of The Almanac, the medical Animal Friends is grateful for the cannabis dispensary and animal shelter have support. Each year, they rescue launched an adoptable pet of the week program and rehome roughly 2,500 animals. to publicize available dogs, cats and rabbits to Since the pandemic began, they've help them find their forever homes. After launching last month, the program has already secured forever homes to two of their adoptions. Exposure, especially Best Buds - Rory and Eugene (pictured). "Every December we hold our Healing Hearts Healing Center, helps create vital charity event, where patients can purchase awareness about the shelter and a heart for a dollar. The patients put their its services. favorite charity on the heart, and then all of the hearts are placed into a drawing. At the "We hope that this partnership and end of the event, one heart is selected and the resulting pieces will shed light the money raised goes to the listed charity," on the amazing animals that can Eugene Lisa Craig, The Healing Center's director of be found in a shelter and clear up marketing, said. "This year's winner selected any misconceptions about shelter Animal Friends as their charity." "We're excited to be a part of this." had to alter their adoption process as the shelter is closed for walk-in from corporate partners like The ADOPTED! animals," Cody Hoellerman, To further support the cause, Craig placed Animal Friends' chief community special messaging at the dispensary's locations engagement officer, said. "We in Washington, Cranberry and Monroeville. "It was very well received," she said. "Our every family at the shelter." patients are really passionate about animals Best Buds will continue to be and really took a vested interest. We sold featured throughout 2021. While 1,438 hearts and we're matching our patient's Hoellerman is hoping for more donations for a total of $3,000." Interested in doing more, they were eager to optimistic this program will create help inform the community about pets in need. a trickle effect for other animals at "Animal Friends is facing so many challenges the shelter. right now with the pandemic." Craig said. "We're We really hope that people have trying to work together to help get the word out." In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, us and let us know what they are Animal Friends, located in Pittsburgh, offers looking for in a pet," he said. low-cost pet care like spaying and neutering, vaccines, wellness exams and treatments like To see the current list of Best Buds, flea prevention. They also provide outreach, education and therapeutic programming. truly believe there is an animal for weekly success stories, he's ADOPTED! the opportunity to reach out to Rory visit thealmanac.net/bestbuds. To learn more about Animal Friends, their services and their current visit Sponsored content brought to you by Chris Kohan, The Healing Center's co-founder, said their new partnership with Animal Friends adoptable has been natural. companions, thinkingoutsidethecage.org. The Healing Center