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S.A.V.E. Wraps Up First Online Animal Shelter Drive with YouGiveGoods

NJ Animal Shelter Struggling Even 10 Months After Hurricane Sandy Raises Over 1,000 Items


On October 29th, 2012 the Jersey Shore was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. People were struggling with their homes, their cars, their meals, and also with their pets. Shore Animal Volunteer Enterprise (S.A.V.E.) was bombarded with calls shortly after Sandy departed the stormy shore. Residents desperately needed help to rescue family pets that were left behind. S.A.V.E. was one of the first responders on the barrier islands working with the local shelters and authorities, and continued to do so long after others had departed. S.A.V.E.'s Vice President, Michele Verga said, "We continued searching and trapping for months after Sandy, hoping to reunite as many families with their lost pets as possible. We were not comfortable leaving until we knew we did all we could." Ten months later, S.A.V.E. was still struggling to help all of the animals in their care.


They decided to turn to YouGiveGoods for help. S.A.V.E started an Online Animal Shelter Drive at www.YouGiveGoods.com. Because this effort to help the animals was all online, people from anywhere could make donations. S.A.V.E. kicked off their YouGiveGoods Online Animal Shelter Drive on August 2. After an amazing show of support and many people donating items including cat and kitten food, garbage bags, kitty litter, paper towels, bleach, etc., The “Please Help Us Help Them” Drive exceeded their goal! S.A.V.E. ultimately wrapped up their drive having raised over 1,000 items in support of animals in need.

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S.A.V.E. Rescue/Shelter Supervisor Dianne Miele said, “I want to thank everyone who donated to S.A.V.E.'s food drive! It is heartwarming to see such outpouring of love for homeless animals! We do have some awesome supporters!! Don’t know what we would do without them!! Thank you, YouGiveGoods, for your help, and Marie (Maxwell) for setting this up for us!”


YouGiveGoods Animal Shelter Drive Coordinator, Marie Maxwell said, “The Shelter Drive that S.A.V.E. ran on our site was a very special one because it really hit home for us. Because we are based in New Jersey, we saw firsthand the havoc that Hurricane Sandy wrought on our community. It’s great to see people coming together in support of the animals that were affected by Sandy, even almost a year later!” She continued, “S.A.V.E. is one of the many Animal Shelters using the free services we offer to nonprofit organizations.”

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S.A.V.E. is a private, non-profit, volunteer, no-kill animal rescue/shelter in Ocean County NJ. They provide each stray, abandoned animal that comes in with veterinary care, spaying /neutering,care/love until they get their “furever” home. If and when possible, they do their best to assist families when they are forced to relinquish their pets.


YouGiveGoods is based in Mendham, NJ and is operated by a group of people who strongly believe in the importance of helping others in need. It was developed to allow people and organizations to send goods more efficiently and effectively to food pantries, animal shelters, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other organizations across the country. The innovative e-commerce platform is designed to inspire people to give and help others. Visit YouGiveGoods.com.
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