April Bordeaux, founder of Cause for the Paws Southwest Florida and peer leader of the Professional Women’s Group (PWG), is pleased to announce her project exceeded its goals for funds raised and items donated to benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS). In addition, several dogs and cats were adopted as a direct result of her Community Action Project, which also raised awareness in the community of the no-kill shelter.
Bordeaux was selected as the 2013-2014 delegate to represent PWG SW Florida with the Community Action Project, an annual project designed by Dress for Success Worldwide for the purpose of identifying a need in the community and positively affect the lives of a select group for the greater good. She chose to establish Cause for the Paws Southwest Florida to end the euthanization of healthy pets by educating the community about spay and neuter programs while inspiring people to adopt, not buy, their next furry family member.
Between a special “Pawty” at Bell Tower Shops’ monthly Yappy Hour to benefit GCHS and the “Make Everyday a Caturday” event at the shelter, Cause for the Paws raised a total of $2,604. All four adoptable dogs who participated in the “Diamonds in the Ruff” red carpet fashion show at the Yappy Hour event were adopted the next day. Eight adoptions were processed during the Caturday event.
GCHS Special Events Manager Courtney Piggott said, “The two events April and Cause For the Paws put on for us were wonderfully received. The additions to our monthly Yappy Hour in April helped us see our highest attendance and drink sales for the year, thus far. All four Adoptable Dogs found their Forever Homes and the additional funds raised went towards the General Fund to aid in the care of our other adoptable pets.”
Through her project, Bordeaux was also able to acquire two-much needed desktop computers and one laptop to allow GCHS to replace outdated equipment and operate more efficiently.
“It was wonderful to work with someone who was equally as passionate as we are about finding shelter pets their Forever Homes,” Piggott continued.
During the month of April 2013, GCHS had adopted out 73 cats and dogs, whereas during the same month for this year, the organization had 113 adoptions.
“Statistics point out that only about 20% of pet owners adopt, rather than shop,” Bordeaux said. “I am hopeful that through increased awareness and the continued good work of no-kill shelters like GCHS, more and more people will consider adoption as their only option when adding a furry friend to the family.”
Visit CauseForThePawsSWFL.com or email info@causeforthepawsswfl.com for more information. Major sponsors include the Professional Women’s Group of Dress for Success SW Florida, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Bell Tower Shops, Walmart and CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing.
The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) is a networking, job retention and professional development program that empowers employed Dress for Success SW Florida clients to aspire for self-defined success through motivation, mentoring, resources, training and partnership with professional women in the community. Membership is lifelong, free, and open to all Dress for Success clients who are working or in school.
Bordeaux is Creative Director at CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing in Fort Myers.
About Cause for the Paws Southwest Florida:
Four to six million animals are euthanized in shelters across the nation each year. Almost 5000 animals are killed each year in Lee County alone. Only 20% of people adopt their pets. It is the belief of the founder of Cause for the Paws Southwest Florida, that together we can change these statistics through compassion, education and awareness. For more information, visit CauseForThePawsSWFL.com or email info@causeforthepaws.com.
About Dress for Success
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. There are 135 Dress for Success locations internationally focusing on providing career wardrobes, employment counseling and mentoring for women. For information on Dress for Success SW Florida located at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. Suite 153, Fort Myers, FL in the Pinebrook Plaza, email swflorida@dressforsuccess.org, call 239-689-4992 or visitwww.DressForSuccess.org/
About the Dress for Success Community Action Project:
Each year Dress for Success selects a delegate to work on a ‘pay it forward’ project for the community. This year, April Bordeaux selected the Gulf Coast Humane Society by founding, “Cause for the Paws,” a project to share her passion by creating an inspirational program and event that changed the lives of pets and pet lovers. Last year, the Dress for Success SW Florida delegate selected a project to support After the Rain and the year before, Our Mother’s Home.
