Gertie’s Doghouse Daycare hosts supply drive to aid homeless pets and owners

Gertie’s Doghouse Daycare is hosting a supply drive to benefit the Homeless Alliance, inviting the community to donate pet supplies and essentials for unhoused individuals.

The event, “Pack the Bus for Pups,” is organized by Laurie Anderson-Pitsiri, owner of Gertie’s Doghouse.

She came to the Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to share the details.

The event is set for Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 74 Kitchen & Bar, a dog-friendly restaurant supporting the cause by providing hot chocolate for attendees.

Donations needed include collars, leashes, dry dog food, harnesses, and coats for both pets and their owners.

“It’s been my experience that our unhoused Oklahomans take better care of their four-legged family members than they do themselves, and we want to help them the best way we can,” Pitzzeri said.

Gertie’s Doghouse Daycare, a daycare and boarding facility in Oklahoma City, operates a school bus that picks up its canine clients. This initiative repurposes the bus for charity, collecting much-needed supplies for pets and their owners.

“We have a lot of really pampered pups, and their owners take excellent care of them because they have the means to do so,” Pitzzeri said. “I just really wanted to figure out a way to help the people that couldn’t do that.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations to support the cause.

For more information, visit Gertie’s Doghouse Daycare or stop by the event at 74 Kitchen & Bar.