TiggerTown Inc. of Chattanooga is known for its work rescuing cats, but few know the group also serves as an ambassador for Greater Good Charities.
It's this partnership that led the group to acquire a donation of more than 6,000 dog beds from Bark Inc. that are now being distributed to other rescues in the greater Chattanooga and North Georgia areas.
"We're using these beds to help other local 501(c)(3) nonprofits and members of our community," TiggerTown owner Candice Russell said in a phone call. "Currently, I work with 41 groups in our areas, and we're distributing these beds across the Chattanooga region."
Russell estimates that over the course of the donation about 60 truckloads of dog beds on about 112 pallets will have come through the rescue, with 56 more pallets scheduled to be arriving in the coming weeks.
(READ MORE: Humane Educational Society rescues 21 dogs from Rhea County property)
From 9-11 a.m. Saturday, local rescues in need can come and apply to receive beds for their use at 32 Emerson Drive in Rossville, Georgia, just off Mack Smith Road.
Russell said the application process is detailed and applicants must be approved 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and charity rating groups. References are required.
"They have to have pets that are spayed and neutered and have adoptable pets listed on their websites," she said, adding that McKamey Animal Center was the most recent group to come in and be able to take a few pallets of beds back for its animals.
"We're using the beds for our pets as an adoption incentive," Lauren Mann, director of advancement for McKamey, said in a phone call. "Anyone who comes in for an adoption right now will also go home with a nice new bed for their new furry friend."
Mann added that McKamey is very thankful for ambassadors of Greater Good Charities like TiggerTown that do so much good across the country.
"We're so grateful for their partnership, and that they reached out to us for this," she said. "It makes such a difference in the community."
Rescue organizations aren't the only possible beneficiaries of the donations.
"After we've gone through the rescues that morning, we'll open up the remaining beds to the community at 11:30 a.m.," Russell said. "We'll go until 12:30 p.m. or until beds run out. Anyone can come and get a bed."
The community distribution period will be first come, first served, and Russell said that she will schedule more distributions as pallets continue to come in. Details will be posted on TiggerTown's Facebook page.
"The beds are all brand new and vacuum-sealed," Russell said, adding that the group has a lot of large and extra-large sizes remaining. "Dogs, cats, truly any pet can use them."
(READ MORE: Two new shelter directors talk animal welfare in Chattanooga)
In a news release from Greater Good Charities, the organization stated that it is working with partner shelters like TiggerTown nationwide to help shelters enhance adoption drives and create dog adoption starter kits when individuals and families adopt new dogs. In addition, the nonprofit organization is offering Bark dog beds to pet-friendly domestic violence and homeless shelters to help families in crisis create a safe haven for their pup.
TiggerTown Inc. is a nonprofit cat rescue that serves the Chattanooga area with its own facility where pets are held in a cage-free, home-like environment. Visit TiggerTown.com or find the group on Facebook for more information or to see future bed distribution dates.
Contact Brandi Dixon at bdixon@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6556.