Bark & Sparkle and DoggyBling.com Extend Big Helping Paw to Hurricane's Animal Victims

Bark & Sparkle’s (barkandsparkle.com) donation of 6 handwoven Swarovski crystal dog collars to a Florida fundraiser to benefit animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina fetched the largest amount of money raised by any donor that day—over $1,100.

Milton, VT (PRWEB) November 4, 2005 -- Bark & Sparkle, Vermont-based maker of luxury Swarovski crystal pet collars, together with other DoggyBling.com advertisers, donated items to a fundraiser organized by the founders of that popular website (www.doggybling.com) two weeks after Hurricane Katrina. The animal benefit was held at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, in conjunction with a Red Cross event raising funds for Katrina’s human victims.

Bark & Sparkle’s six handmade collars brought in over $1,100—the largest amount raised by any donor.

“Bark & Sparkle is a small company that played a very big part in the success of our fundraiser”, said Ric Eddins, founder of DoggyBling.com, who organized the event. “Their collars were a hot item; people loved them.”

100% of proceeds from the event were used to pay vet bills; purchase food and medicine; and provide other necessities for shelters that took in displaced animals after the hurricane. After a match from DoggyBling.com, the total raised by the event was $4,000.

Of the money raised by Bark & Sparkle, $600 went to Noah’s Wish (www.noahswish.org), a disaster rescue group that set up a temporary shelter in Slidell, Louisiana, to house animals made homeless by Katrina. The rest of the money was used to assist other local shelters in the affected areas.

Laurie Vien, Bark & Sparkle’s owner, said “Our hearts broke every time we saw the pictures of confused, helpless animals struggling after the hurricane. We were just happy for the chance to do something to help.”

About Bark & Sparkle
Vermont-based designer Laurie Ann Vien credits her four beloved dogs with inspiring the Bark & Sparkle brand. Her canine family includes 3 irresistible Yorkies (two puppy mill rescues) and a lovable Lhasa Apso. Dog-lover Vien donates a portion of profits from sales of Bark & Sparkle products to animal charities.

For more info, product samples, or high-resolution photographs, please contact Laurie Vien at 802.893.2345.

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