SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Employees at an East County Petco are drumming up support for some of the hardest working members of our military.
They're collecting donations to send supplies to military dogs and their handlers stationed in Afghanistan.
They put their life on the line to protect our freedom, and they ask for nothing in return. So Meilani Peleti and a couple co-workers at the Rancho San Diego Petco came up with an idea.
They're collecting donations for military working dogs that are currently stationed in Afghanistan.
"They are huge heroes. They do things that people can't do and that's why we need them and love them," Peleti said.
The employees contacted a military working dogs organization, which helped them put together a list of the most needed items and places to send them.
They're hoping to receive enough donations to supply six different kennels with toys, treats and much-needed supplies.
The store has a table set up in front explaining the drive and filled with many of the requested items so customers interested in donating can easily pick something out. And not surprisingly to the staff here, it's off to great start because at this Petco, many customers are like family.
"We have a huge community, ex-military here, current military. They're coming in with their dogs. I see them from the time they get their first shots until they're grown up adult dogs. So we're really attached to our working military dogs and families here," Peleti said.
Organizers are also accepting donations for the dogs' handlers like toothbrushes, Tylenol, and soap -- basic things to us that make a huge difference to our service members overseas and their four-legged partners.
"Dogs are our passion. We live with dogs, we work with dogs, we love dogs. We'd do anything for them," Peleti said.
Petco - Rancho San Diego
2510 Jamacha Road
San Diego, CA 92019
(619) 670-9688
