A Penticton woman’s passion for rescuing dogs has been ignited by a recycling contest.
“It seemed like a win-win,” said Karla Brandt, of the recycling contest which is a fundraiser for charity. “It could potentially help rescue dogs in need as well as save recyclable products from the landfill.”
Brandt, a volunteer with Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, is helping her cause take a solid lead in the contest, called Febreze Frenzy and run by TerraCycle Canada.
The team to accumulate the most points will win a $3,000 donation to a charity, non-profit, or school of their choosing. To collect points, items need to be mailed to Toronto for specialized recycling – not the type of products that can be pick up through curb side recycling.
The contest spans seven months, and is coming to an end on April 30. As of press deadline, Boston Terrier Rescue Canada held a massive lead across the country, having registered 150.21 pounds of air and home care waste. The next closest team was at 40.67 pounds.
“This is the first time that any of this stuff has really been recycled in Canada,” said Vanessa Farquharson, communications manager at TerraCycle. “We’re looking for cookie and cracker wrappers, coffee containers, home cleaning waste, and all of the packaging that comes with products like air care cartridges and Swiffer wipes.”
Carolyn Hawkins and Rebecca Davis have also been instrumental in the campaign, Brandt said, along with many other supporters and adoptive families from the area. To take their lead even further, Brandt is asking for the public’s help in fulfilling one last shipment. She will be at Bosley’s Pet Food Plus on April 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. to collect applicable recyclables, and her visit coincides with National Adoption Weekend.
“Also we have a groomer offering $5 nail trims for dogs and cats with proceeds being donated to Boston Terrier Rescue Canada,” she said.
Brandt has been volunteering for Boston Terrier Rescue Canada since 2013, which began shortly after she introduced a Boston Terrier puppy to her family. She fell in love with the breed and wanted more. She then asked to foster recently rescued pups.
“This gave us the opportunity to test the waters without commitment,” she said.
Once involved with the rescue community, she discovered Boston Terrier Rescue Canada and added two more dogs to her family.
Volunteers like Brandt are central to the charity’s functionality. Boston Terrier Rescue Canada rely on a network of dedicated volunteer foster homes across the country because they don’t have a central shelter facility.
There’s no fee to take part in the contest, with the financial burden of shipping undertaken by the United Parcel Service and Staples.