WHOLE MARKETS HELPS ANIMALS FIND HOMES

BARBARA MURRAY

TEMPE, Ariz. -- To attract the pet-loving customer, and to demonstrate its interest in the community, Whole Foods Market here observed National Homeless Animals Day by finding permanent homes for several cats. Volunteers working for Friends for Life Animal Rescue, Gilbert, Ariz., brought three dogs, three cats and a kitten to the store at 5120 South Rural Rd. here, where adoptions took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 20.

Shopping carts, usually kept inside, were moved outdoors for the event, which was held in the front end.

Everyone who adopted got a free bag of pet food from Whole Foods' all-natural 365 line.

"We got a couple hundred dollars in donations that day, and we got some new volunteers for the shelter and a new foster home for a dog," said Suzy Hassing, marketing specialist at the market.

This store is the only Whole Foods unit in the state, and, at 33,000 square feet, is one of the largest in the chain of about 120 locations. The store here opened March 4, 1998.

In another pet-oriented event held this summer, the store had a Dog Wash, sponsored by Pet Guard, during which more than 150 dogs were bathed.