Winter Blankets for Shelter Dogs - How One Arizona Businessman is Making a Difference

Mike Casten is organizing his Poodini Pals Toy Drive

With winter approaching, it is critical that the shelters have an ample supply of blankets and bedding to keep the dogs warm. Mike Casten, owner of Poodini Pet Waste Removal, is organizing his Poodini Pals Toy Drive in November to focus on getting winter supplies for homeless Valley Shelter Dogs.

As the owner of a pet waste removal company, people often ask Mike why he started his business. Mike usually tells everyone that he loves dogs and saw a great business opportunity in a niche market. However, Mike confesses, that truth be told, he was simply burnt out of working for other people and had declared that “I would rather pick up dog s*** for a living than do this anymore!”. Never one to be all bark and no bite, Mike followed through with his declaration and began building Poodini Pet Waste Removal.
Mike says: "Certainly, I had plenty of doubters when I got into this business and I was constantly questioned. Thankfully, my sarcastic attitude and a desire to prove them all wrong got me through the start up challenges."

Word of Mike's services continued to spread and within a year the business was thriving. It is safe to say, Mike is glad he didn't listen to the doubters and saw the growing demand for this type of service!
With his business doing well, Mike wanted to give back to the furry friends that helped him under way. So he started to spend some of his profits on toys for shelter dogs.

I remember being so excited about purchasing 150 dog-friendly tennis balls and bringing them to the dogs at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. I walked the facility, handing out a ball to each dog in their kennel. However, I soon realized that I would not have enough. In fact, there were over 300 dogs being housed at this one facility! It was then and there that I realized that I had to do more."

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Mike says: "I knew that I had a platform to make a bigger difference, so I started the Poodini Pals Toy Drive. I asked my customers to donate any toys, treats, blankets, leashes, or other supplies that could help the dogs feel more comfortable in the shelter and ultimately give them a better chance of being adopted. My customers answered the call and I quickly collected several trash bags worth of supplies."

Mike also contacted local businesses to see if he could put up a poster and leave a donation bin. Several businesses jumped at the opportunity to help his cause. The next time Mike would visit the shelter, he would be bringing a full truck load of supplies with him!

With winter approaching, it is critical that the shelters have an ample supply of blankets and bedding to keep the dogs warm. This is why Mike is asking everyone to dig through their linen closets and pull out any extra blankets that they can afford to spare! He continues his Poodini Pals Toy Drive this November and is asking for your donations.
If you would like to be part of this great effort, please join Mike online at  poodini.com/toydrive.html

Thanks to the love and generosity of so many compassionate people, I have been able to continue to supply the shelter with much needed supplies on a regular basis. Though managing the toy drive can be quite laborious at times, if it helps even one dog to be adopted, then it is totally worth it! I feel very fortunate to be able to help and honestly wish that I could do more. Dogs have been good to me, and I can only hope to be just as good to them!

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Mike Casten is the owner of Poodini Pet Waste Removal

🛒 WHERE TO DONATE 🛒
To make donations, please call Poodini at 480-744-4250 or email toydrive@poodini.com to make pick up arrangements, or look for our drop off boxes at these locations:

🐾 Pet Planet Mountainside Plaza Ahwatukee - 4025 E Chandler Blvd #46, Phoenix, AZ 85048
🐾 Zzeeks Pizza (blankets only) - Ahwatukee - 48th St & Warner
🐾 Dirty Blonde Tavern - 4929 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
🐾 Vardhan Brothers Dry Cleaners (blankets only) - 4825 E. Warner Rd #3, Phoenix AZ 85044

💞 THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!