Kona's eager tan and white face and golden eyes fastened on Michele McLeod, a Companion Pet Rescue (CPR) volunteer. Ms McLeod on September 28 walked into Your Healthy Pet at 61 Church Hill Road, with Kona beside her. The two soon joined Andrea Bermudez, senior CPR representative, Connecticut operations manager, and volunteer coordinator, and headed toward a box filled with a variety of gently worn shoes.

Ms McLeod sat Kona in front of the shoe collection box where Ms Bermudez and store owner Tom Novak joined the young pup. The box is a collection point for the CPR shoe drive running through October 31 to raise funds for the CPR dogs rescued from high-kill shelters.

"We are excited about our shoe drive," said Ms Bermudez. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us."

CPR, with an adoption center based in Southbury, will earn funds based on the number of pairs collected and the fundraising organization Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated goods. Those dollars will directly benefit the rescued dogs, and will be used for heart worm prevention and treatment, medications and medical treatments, and spay/neuter procedures prior to adoption. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used, or new shoes at Your Healthy Pet. All types and sizes are accepted.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain, and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras, and other nations in Central America and Africa.

Ms Bermudez said the drive will "help those less fortunate become self-sufficient. It's a win-win for everyone."

Your Healthy Pet owners Mary-Kay and Tom Novak watched as shoppers stopped to pet Kona and several inquired about the shoe drive.

"People can come to Your Healthy Pet at any time with shoes," Ms McLeod said.

She had fostered Kona, who is not yet a year old and is currently up for adoption.

"She is smart as a whip," and is good with other dogs and cats, she said.

Each week Companion Pet Rescue brings at least 10-15 dogs up to Connecticut rescued from high-kill shelters in Tennessee. According to the organization's website, 75 percent of the dogs and pups come from high kill shelters in Tennessee and Mississippi. These shelters reach out to CPR for help.

CPR has adoption events several days per week, she said.

An adoption event in Newtown will be on October 16 at Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals. For additional information, contact the hospital at 203-426-8585 or info@mtpleasanthospitalforanimals.com.

Visit or call Your Healthy Pet at YourHealthyPetCT.com or 203-270-PETS (7387). Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm.

What Is CPR?

The mission of Companion Pet Rescue is to rescue and rehomeabandoned and neglected dogs, and promoting its own spay/neuter outreach program.

CPR's focus is on friendly, social, loving companion pets. The CPR dogs are heavily socialized with others (a doggy daycare environment), or in foster homes, almost all of which have children and other pets.

According to an e-mail form Ms Bermudez, the CPR adoption process is easy.

"Take a look at the available dogs (who change often, as we rescue more weekly)," she wrote in part.

Prospective adopting families then fill out an application, and an adoption coordinator will be in touch. The process can take up to five days. Completing the adoption application is a must-do, she said.

CPR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, registered with the States of Tennessee and Connecticut in operation since 2004, and proudly rescuing 2,000-plus dogs and pups each year. The rescue is financially operated through adoption fees, donations, and fundraisers. All dogs are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, tested for heartworms (if over 6 months of age) and if positive for heartworms, they are treated before leaving CPR.

For additional information about the organization, visit cprdogs.com.

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