A HISTORY OF HOLIDAY HOPE
A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE MERCER CLINIC HOLIDAY PET BASKET AND COAT GIFT PROGRAM
A group of volunteers at the UCD Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) has carried on a tradition of making holiday pet “baskets” for the Mercer Veterinary Clinic patients since 1995. The tradition stemmed from a VMTH staff newsletter meeting (The VOICE) where the group discussed how they could help with a holiday charity project. Marcia Nelson and Becky Griffey came up with the great idea of making holiday pet baskets for pets of individuals experiencing homelessness.
The first year of pet baskets was very well received by the clients of Mercer Veterinary Clinic. It was clear from the feedback and the photos of delighted pets and owners that these very special pets were family. Our group was very moved, and was motivated to make this an annual event. Although these less fortunate folks did not have the means to give gifts to their beloved pets, we could help by continuing to organize this event annually, and making the holidays a little brighter for them.
Original VMTH newsletter members who still participate annually include Becky Griffey, and Eileen Samitz. Becky Griffey was the coordinator between 1995 until 1998 and Eileen Samitz has been the coordinator since 1998. These pet basket “elves” will be joined by other helpers, including UCD current or former staff members Becky Griffey, Judy Wall, Marion Derby, Monica Kratochvil, Diane Nayden, Jeanne Brown, Barbara Fowler, Felicia DonRussello, and Matt Nichols. We are grateful to Pat Bailey and Trina Wood for helping us coordinate with the media to share this event with the UCD staff and the public. We are also ever so grateful to Celeste Borelli and Beatrice Le for their kind help in processing the donations.
Veterinary student “elves,” Mercer Veterinary Clinic officers, also help us with assembling, transporting and distributing the holiday pet baskets. These students are regular volunteers at the Mercer Veterinary Clinic. We appreciate the extra time that they invest in the pet basket program each year.
In the first year, the holiday pet basket event produced 25 baskets. In recent years, we’ve made over 100 per year! The pet “baskets” are sorted by being intended for a dog or cat and labeled accordingly, then filled with a variety of gifts such as food, treats, and of course, toys for the pets.
Winter Coats and Sweaters
In 2012 we recognized the need for sweaters and coats for the dogs to keep warm in the winter, especially as some shelters do not allow pets. Since then, we have also raised funds to provide these articles for the dogs who come to the Mercer Veterinary Clinic in the winter months. We have also provided sweaters to a few cats who would tolerate wearing them! We are in great need of generous donations to continue this coat and sweater program for these special pets to help them weather the cold and wet elements that they face in our region.
Support our Winter Programs
Our ability to provide the Mercer Veterinary Clinic holiday pet baskets and winter coats and sweaters relies entirely on the generosity of donations from animal lovers who wish to help these needy pets, and pet supply companies who are kind enough to donate as well.
Although these programs take place in the winter, we welcome donations all year round, since it relies primarily on donations to operate. We have been fortunate enough to have been given pledges of donations or discounts in the past from companies such as Purina-Nestle, Hills/ Science Diet, Virbac., Butler - Schein Animal Health Supply, Pet Edge, UPCO, Dechra Veterinary Products, Merial, Merck, M.W.I, and Elanco, but the generous support of individual contributors provides the lion’s share of the program’s very lean budget.
To make a financial donation (which is tax deductible) to the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and Coats Program, please make your check to: UC Regents - Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and send it to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Office of the Dean, P.O. Box 1167, Davis CA 95617-1167, Attn. Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets. Please include a donation form printout.
Alternatively, you can make a donation for the Holiday Pet Baskets on the web at the UC Davis Give programs.
All donations are tax-deductible and all donors receive a confirmation receipt for any monetary donations.
Mercer Veterinary Clinic and the crew of the Holiday Pet Baskets and Winter Pet Coat and Sweater program wish to thank all of our financial contributors for your generosity. Thanks also to all the volunteer participants that help us to continue these two programs. We also wish everyone a wonderful and happy holiday season.
For any questions regarding this overview about the Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets please contact:
Eileen M. Samitz, MT, (ASCP), M.A.
Coordinator, Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and Winter Pet Coat and Sweater Program
530-756-5165 emsamitz@ucdavis.edu