Lily, Pit Bull Ambassador & Therapy Dog launches “Monster” holiday drive to benefit homeless pets

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands four-footed resident and goodwill canine, “Lily, Pit Bull Ambassador & Therapy Dog,” was recently accepted as a member of “I’m not a Monster,” a national advocacy initiative whose mission is to dispel myths associated with misunderstood breeds, particularly pit bulls, oftentimes unfairly stereotyped as “monsters” by the media. By showcasing dogs who are exemplary breed ambassadors, I’m not a Monster strives to change the public’s perception and give these dogs a fair shot at a better life, free from abuse, discrimination and media bias. In addition to educating the public, the initiative promotes the adoption of shelter pets and networks animals in need. I'm Not a Monster is a 100% privately funded philanthropic effort benefiting animal welfare organizations across the U.S. (See attached link for more information.)

The “Monsters”

The “Monsters” include dogs from across the country as well as from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand. They include service dogs, search & rescue dogs, therapy dogs, dogs who have passed their Canine Good Citizen test, dogs whose volunteer work is making a significant impact on the lives of homeless pets and people in need in their particular communities, and regular dogs who are just plain, loving family members.

The “Monsters” are representatives of various categories and backgrounds including:

Abused “Monsters,” victims of neglect and abuse, fighting for tougher laws against animal abusers;
Craigslist & Senior “Monsters,” “free to a good home” pups, unwanted seniors and chained dogs;
Ex-dogfighting “Monsters,” dogs rescued from dogfighting operations in need of rehabilitation;
Litter “Monsters,” victims of backyard breeders and puppy mills;
Special “Monsters,” special needs dogs, including blind, hearing impaired and the physically disabled;
Therapy “Monsters,” registered therapy dogs that bring comfort and happiness to others and who are changing perceptions through their therapy work;
Throwaway “Monsters,” neglected dogs abandoned in the streets or thrown in the trash (sometimes literally) to die;
Unwanted “Monsters,” representing dogs in kill shelters on “death row.”

Lily, a resident of The Woodlands, was accepted as a “Super Monster” because of her countless hours of service as a registered therapy dog and volunteer in our community. In addition to working with seniors with Alzheimer’s, Lily teaches a safety around dogs class every month to pre-K children, attends events to raise awareness of the plight of shelter pets, and holds collection drives to benefit both people and pets. Read Lily’s official “Monster” bio at: I’m Not a Monster - Lily, Pit Bull Ambassador & Therapy Dog.

The Monster Holiday Drive

The Monster Holiday initiative started two years ago when New York based founder Imelda Suriato saw a wealth of dog toys on clearance at TJ MAXX. Remembering the movie “The Island of Misfit Toys” she saw a parallel between the unwanted toys and all of the homeless animals who similarly wait at shelters across the country. Just like the toys, shelter and homeless dogs are not “broken” or “damaged goods,” they are only in need of a loving forever family to call their own. The thought of launching a holiday drive to benefit homeless animals was born and the organization’s canine representatives, the “Monsters” were then hand-picked and recruited by Suriato, who is affectionately known as “Mama Monster.”

In anticipation of the Holiday Drive, each “Monster Elf” selects a local organization, shelter or rescue (or two!) they really believe are making a significant and positive difference for animals in need in their communities.

This holiday season, 70 Monster Elves located in states from California to New York will join forces in a massive effort to request donations to benefit homeless pets in 110 different no-kill shelters and in rescues across the country. 2014 marks the 3rd anniversary of this collective effort. During this time the Monster Elves and their owners work diligently to bring cheer and happiness to others, collect donations for homeless pets and to bring attention to the good shelters and rescues in their communities. This year, the Monsters expect to surpass the nearly $100,000 in donations that were collected during the 2013 Monster Holiday Drive, benefitting 54 animal shelters and rescues.

Join Lily and Help Homeless Pets this Holiday Season

For her inaugural year as a “Monster Elf” Lily is kindly asking for the community’s support and requesting donations to benefit The Woodlands based non-profit Operation Pets Alive and Houston based Melrose Park Neglected Dogs.

Thanks to the assistance and generosity of the following businesses and organizations, which are assisting Lily with her Monster Elf Drive, donations may be dropped off at any of the following locations (look for Lily’s “Monster Elf” donation box):

Express Hot Yoga (The Woodlands Mall, upstairs from Barnes & Noble (parking lot side)
Express Hot Yoga (Woodlands West, 8000 McBeth Way, Suite 140, The Woodlands, Tx. 77382)
Russo’s NY Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (3335 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, Tx. 77382) – Accepting non-food items only, please.
Russo’s NY Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
Russo’s NY Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (3915 W. Davis Street #180, Conroe, TX 77304) – Accepting non-food items only, please.
Starbucks Store (10716 Kuykendahl, Indian Springs Shopping Center, The Woodlands, Tx. 77381)
Starbucks Store (4775 West Panther Creek, Panther Creek Shopping Center, The Woodlands, Tx. 77381)
The Village at The Woodlands Waterway (2323 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Tx. 77380)
The Woodlands Children’s Museum (4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, Tx. 77381) The Woodlands Children’s Museum.

Requested donations include the following items (new items only, please – it’s Christmas after all):

Dog and cat food
Dog and cat treats
Small blankets, throws, baby blankets (very gently used towels, baby blankets and throws are also accepted and appreciated)
Towels (any size)
Dog and cat toys
Dog and cat feeding bowls
Dog leashes
Peanut butter
Aluminum baking pans
Hay
Additional, suggested items are listed and may be purchased online at Lily’s Amazon Wishlist.

In conjunction with the Monster Holiday Drive, the following sponsors are offering some special promotions guaranteed to pamper anyone’s special canine family member this holiday season with a Bark Box, the maker of the “monthly box of dog goodies” and Monster Drive sponsor, is offering a discount to new customers. Use coupon code “LILYELF” to receive a 10% discount and BarkBox will also credit Lily’s Monster Elf drive with one BarkBox, guaranteed to bring a lot of holiday cheer to any homeless pet!

Acadia Antlers, the premier source of USA naturally shed Moose Antler dog chews and Monster Drive Sponsor is offering a discount as well. Use of coupon code “MONSTER2014” grants a 25% discount and one antler will be added to the Monster Elf pile!

For additional information on how you can support Lily’s Monster Elf Drive to help homeless pets this holiday season or to learn more about Lily’s therapy work and community service, please “Like” her on Facebook at Lily, Pit Bull Ambassador & Therapy Dog.