San Francisco, CA  – 11/20/08 – As the holidays approach, Mary McCarthy, the owner of At Home Pet Sitting San Francisco invites everyone to join in her Animal Wishes and Dreams campaign collection drive benefiting the pets at Pets Unlimited Adoption Center and providing items to help the animals comfortable, safe and happy till each one finds a loving forever home. They help rescue and save hundreds of animals each year, often taking in pets whose time is running out in shelters throughout the Bay Area. One of these wonderful cats now lives with Mary McCarthy. Her 1 yr old cat, Tiger Lily was found on the streets in Hayward and stayed in a shelter there before being transferred to Pets Unlimited Adoption Center and now brings much joy to Mary’s home.

This holiday program, sponsored by At Home Pet Sitting SF, will run until December 20, 2008. As part of this program, At Home Pet Sitting SF is reaching out to their clients and pet lovers throughout San Francisco and encouraging them to collect and donate items for this worthy cause. Items such as unopened pet food and treats, plus the following new or gently used items:  toys, treat dispensers, blankets, towels, scratching posts, kitty condos, Karunda beds, Sensation/EZ-Walk Harnesses, Martingale Collars, and Clickers are all being solicited. Sometimes pets will show little to no interest in some of the toys and other items pet owners purchase for their pets. Now needy pets can enjoy these same items. Email Mary McCarthy at MMcCarthy@AthomePetSittingSF.com to check on possible pickup of donations in her service areas or if you have a business that would like to get involved.

Any items donated that Pets Unlimited Adoption Center is unable to use will be redistributed to Vet SOS, a program that provides free veterinary care for the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans and to Pets Are Wonderful Support – PAWS, a program that provides support to HIV and AIDS clients and their pets.

Through the Animal Wishes and Dreams campaign, At Home Pet Sitting SF wants to bring some happiness to homeless cats and dogs and remind the public of the important roles shelters like Pets Unlimited serve. This is a great opportunity for all animal lovers, pet owner or not, to get involved and make a difference.  The donations collected will support rescued animals and allow Pets Unlimited be able to helps even more pets. Learn more about Pets Unlimited and how they support the animals in the Bay Area by checking out their website at www.petsunlimited.org. Pets Unlimited is located at 2343 Fillmore at Washington. Their phone number is 415-563-6700.

Did you know that by cleaning out your house and garage, you can help animals? Bring any clothes or household items you no longer need to The Community Thrift Store at 623 Valencia and tell them to credit Pets Unlimited #38 and they will get 50% of the proceeds. Have a car, truck or boat that you want to get rid of? Consider donating it to Pets Unlimited, and get a great tax deduction. Go onto www.CarDonationServices.com or call 1-888-686-4483 to make arrangements.  Want even more ways to help, go onto the following page on Pets Unlimited’s website  - www.petsunlimited.org/help/give.htm.

Of course the best way to help homeless and rescued pets, open your home and your heart and adopt from a shelter or rescue organization. There are many wonderful pets just waiting for you to take them home. You will be amazed at the amount of love they will share with you. What is the best way to keep more animals from ending up in shelters? Make sure pets are spayed and neutered.

Mary McCarthy is a professional pet sitter, who is bonded and insured, and trained, in pet first aid by the American Red Cross. Mary McCarthy states, “Taking care of a pet to me is much more than changing their water, giving them fresh food and cleaning up after their pet waste. They also need attention and tender loving care. I customize my visits with the pets. Every pet is different and responds differently. What one pet may love, another may hate. I try to make the pet’s time during the client’s absence as stress free and enjoyable as possible.”

For more information about At Home Pet Sitting San Francisco and the Animal Wishes and Dreams campaign or to see if she can take care of your pets, please contact Mary McCarthy at 415-871-5559, or email at MMcCarthy@AthomePetSittingSF.com or visit her website www.AtHomePetSittingSF.com.