Pet Care Companies That Give Back. Period.

Most people get into the pet business because they love animals. So it’s not surprising that many pet product companies choose to support pet-related charities, volunteer organizations, shelters and rescues. Whether it’s a small business donating a few hundred dollars’ worth of supplies to a local rescue or a national corporation giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to shelters across the country, pet product manufacturers are stepping up to meet the needs of homeless pets. Here are just a few of the companies that give back to the pet community.

1. BISSELL Homecare

What it Does: Produces pet stain and odor removers, vaccuums designed for pet hair.

How it Gives Back: Hosts annual Most Valuable Pet Photo Contest where winners donate their cash prizes  to a pet charity of their choice. Sponsors the Dumb Friends League’s Furry Scurry pet walk and run, North Shore Animal League America’s Adoptathon, Tour for Life mobile adoption tour. Partners with Petfinder.com and LostPetUSA.net. ** Bissell, Inc is also very involved with the online social community of pet lovers with it’s Bissell Pack of Pet Lovers, who are all dedicated to Bissell’s mission and write honest whole-hearted reviews about the company’s amazing array of pet products.

2. Halo Purely for Pets

What it Does: Produces holistic pet care products.

How it Gives Back: Donating 1 million meals of Halo’s Spot’s Stew (for cats and dogs, wet and dry formulas) this year to pet shelters around the country.

3. Hartz

What it Does: Manufactures a full line of pet products for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, reptiles and fish. 

How it Gives Back: Pledged to ship up to 3 million worth of Hartz pet supplies to animal shelters and food banks in the U.S. and Canada in 2010 to help shelters & pet owners survive the tough economy.

4. Dog Tag Art

What it Does: Makes customizable pet ID tags. 

How it Gives Back: Donates $2 of each tag sold through the SPCA of Franklin County, PA back to the shelter.

5. Kiss My Mutt

What it Does: Makes dog bandannas, eco-friendly beds, and accessories. 

How it Gives Back: Donated 50% of profits from the K-9 PALS Charity Dog Wash and Dog Portrait Session to the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter in CA.

6. Kurgo

What it Does: Makes pet travel products including car seat covers, hammocks, crates, packs, & travel bowls. 

How it Gives Back: Donates products to Pet Postcard Project, Canines for Disabled Kids, Massachusetts SPCA, Paws Walk, 2 Dogs 2000 Miles, Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, Tails Waggers 4-H Club (Wis.) and Project K-9 (Fla.).

7. RoyalPetClub.com

What it Does: Makes luxury grooming and other products. 

How it Gives Back: Donates $1 to American Humane for every sample shipped, and $1 to the NSAL for every processed order.

8. Miss Autum’s Barkery

What it Does: Makes organic dog food and treats.

How it Gives Back: Donates products and supplies to non-profits including NorCal Equine Rescue, HS of Missouri, Safe Harbor Pet Sanctuary, World Humane Society, Doris Day Animal League (DDAL), the ASPCA & Kitten Rescue of L.A.

9. Petmate 

What it Does: Offers a complete line of pet products including portable kennels, dog houses, bedding, litter accessories, feeding & watering products, toys, collars and leads.  

How it Gives Back: In 2010, it’s donated $67,000 in products to shelters nationwide. Also supports Pilots-N-Paws; offers the America’s Legacy collar and leash line, donating a portion of proceeds to the US War Dog Association, Inc.

10. MyThreeCats.com 

What it Does: Online retailer of lots of pet products. 

How it Gives Back: Donates money and in-kind to FosterCat, Inc., Animal Friends, Western PA HS, Animal Rescue League, DDAL, St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter & other shelters , rescues, & animal advocacy organizations.

11. Veterinary Ventures

What it Does: Produces the Drinkwell pet foundation line and other popular pet products.

 How it Gives Back: Donated over 400 stainless steel bowls worth over $3,200 to Nevada HS.

* Thanks to DogFancy's Adopted Dog Magazine for this article (in print, not online).