The following press release was issued by Friends of Marblehead's Abandoned Animals volunteer Pamela Dante:

On Saturday, Aug. 20, Marblehead Pet Supply will host the second annual Dog Days of Summer Charity Dog Wash that will be open to the public. All proceeds will go to Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals (FOMAA) and the Marblehead Animal Shelter.

It’s kitten season and the shelter is completely full with the addition of summer kittens and young mother cats.

Again this year, Marblehead Pet Supply will donate all the money collected during the event to the shelter. Shopkeepers Jo-ann and Kim Cerase are long-time supporters of FOMAA, and are committed to raising funds and finding home for the abandoned animals in the shelter as often as possible.

There are 9 kittens available for adoption this week at the shelter and a dozen more in foster care. Some of these kittens will attend Saturday’s fundraiser in hope of finding “forever homes”.

Jo-ann and Kim are longtime supporters of the shelter.

“We started this event last year to help raise funds for the shelter during kitten season. August is the perfect time to come in and use our self-service dog wash,” Jo-ann Cerase said. “It’s hot outside; dogs get dirty and it’s easy to come here and leave with a clean dog and no mess to clean up in your home.”

Jo-ann and Kim have themselves taken home ten animals from the shelter over the past 11 years, including gerbils, dogs and most recently a guinea pig.

According to FOMAA volunteer Sue MacInnis, Marblehead Pet Supply has been incredibly generous to the shelter in the past.

“They’ve donated money, new supplies from the store, gift certificates, gift baskets, and hosted fundraisers; it’s really been amazing,” she said.

This year they hope to raise money and find forever homes for some of the animals, as this summer season has been a particularly difficult one, with the shelter overwhelmed by an influx of new homeless kittens, as well as some of the long-time residents of the shelter who haven’t yet found permanent homes. 

“Spaying and worming mother cats, and vaccinating new kittens can be quite expensive,” noted FOMAA volunteer Katie Van Dorpe. “We have so many beautiful cats right now--and even a sweet dog named ‘Lady’--who desperately need both adoptive and foster homes. Despite the very generous discount that Atlantic Veterinary Hospital gives us, the costs can get very high to feed, shelter and give medical care to these wonderful animals."

Just this past Sunday, another four kittens were born in a foster home. They and their mom, Ariel, will need to be cared for until they are old enough for adoption and adoption fees will not cover these costs.

Donations may be made at the shop now through the event, or checks may be mailed directly to FOMAA at 44 Village Street. Wet cat and kitten food is also being collected in a bin at the Village Plaza shop at 30 Bessom St.

All donations to FOMAA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law. Purchases at the event from the shelter’s “wish list” and donated to the shelter will be discounted.

Each dog participating in Saturday’s dog wash will receive a treat and goodie bag after getting clean. Washes will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last start time) with a $10 cash or check donation to the Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals to benefit the Marblehead Animal Shelter. All supplies and a towel dry are included. Contact the shop at 781-631-3500 if you have any questions.

For information about adopting ‘Lady’, the beautiful dog who still has not found her forever home, one can visit http://marblehead-animal-shelter.org/lady.

To see more about the dog-wash event, the online invitation may be viewed here. Donations can also be made online and animals ready for adoption can be viewed at www.marblehead-animal-shelter.org.