In its biggest year yet, the BISSELL Blocktail Party hosted guests and their favorite pets to raise more than a quarter million dollars to support animal welfare organizations across West Michigan. The event, known as the “BEST DOG-GONE Party in Town”, was help on the lawns at Mangiamo! and featured live entertainment, a photo booth, a one-of-a-kind silent auction and scrumptious “yappetizers” for both pets and their humans.

“New this year was the ability to bid from your mobile device,” said Mara Rasikas who sits on the committee of the Foundation, “We also had ‘pet painting’ by Dawn Omboy and we introduced our first ‘Blocktail Cocktail’ party drink.”

Silent auction items included 4 unique travel Experiences, including a Saks Fifth Avenue NYC Shopping Spree, New York Amazing Long Weekend, Telluride (Colorado) Luxury Dream Vacation and a Wine Tasting Experience in Napa Valley. All told the four Experiences helped raise $4,750 for the cause.

The BISSELL Blocktail Party was founded in 2005 by a group of animal advocates to support local, West Michigan animal welfare organizations. Funds from this year’s party were awarded as grants to 14 organizations including:

• *Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership (C-SNIP):       $45,000
• *Humane Society of West Michigan: $40,000
• *Vicky’s Pet Connection: $27,000
• Pound Buddies (Volunteers for Muskegon County Animal Control): $19,500
• *Kent County Animal Shelter:  $18,845
• West Michigan Spay & Neuter Clinic:  $18,000
• *Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary:  $12,500
• *Safe Haven Humane Society:  $10,000
• Lake Haven Rescue:  $10,000
• *Reuben’s Room Cat Rescue:  $6,750
• *Carol’s Ferals:  $5,000
• Kelley’s Heart to Heart:  $5,000
• *Focus on Ferals:  $5,000

* “Blocktail Buddies” each received an additional $1,000 gift earlier in 2014 to recognize their dedication to animal welfare.

ABOUT the BISSELL Pet Foundation

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treated of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported by BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a 137-year-old Grand Rapids-based floor care appliance brand in its fourth generation of family leadership. For more information, visit http://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/

SEE More About the 2014 Blocktail Party in the Press:

• Grand Rapids Business Journal: Fundraiser turns out pretty doggone good 8/13/14
• MLIVE.com Bissell Pet Foundation delivers proceeds from Blocktail Party to local shelters 8/12/14
• MLIVE.com: Must love dogs: Record numbers attend 2014 BISSELL Blocktail Party 6/12/14
• MLIVE.com: How ‘Cat-centric’ shelters benefit from BISSELL Blocktail Party 6/12/14
• Women’s Lifestyle Magazine: BISSELL Blocktail Party Photo Album 6/12/14
• WoodTV8: Social Sizzle: BISSELL Blocktail Party 6/12/14
• Wotv4: Photos: BISSELL Blocktail Party raises big funds for furry friends 6/12/14
• Fox17: Bring Your Pooch To The Bissell Blocktail Party 6/11/14
• eightWest: The best dog-gone party in town 6/10/14
• My Town GR Central: Bissell Blocktail Party returns June 11 6/9/14
• MLIVE: Top 5 things to do around Grand Rapids include Blocktail Party, Waterfront Film Festival, and Star Wars Swing 6/9/14