How Your Change Makes a Difference

• The Event: Hollywood Feed is matching customer donations to Pets in the Classroom in August up to $5,000!

• The Goal: Support the Pets in the Classroom grant program to bring comfort, connection, and confidence to students.

• The Beneficiaries: PreK-12th grade teachers in public and private schools across the US and Canada.

• The Impact: Fostering new generations of responsible pet owners while easing the financial burden on hardworking educators.

Small Change, Big Impact: Join Our Round Up for Classroom Pets

As back-to-school season kicks into high gear, Hollywood Feed is incredibly excited to announce a special initiative designed to give back to the educators and students in your local community. This August, we invite you to participate in our Round Up for Classroom Pets campaign!

We believe that creating new generations of responsible pet owners starts in the classroom. By introducing animals to educational spaces, students gain invaluable life lessons in empathy, routine, and care. However, we also know that teachers often pay out of pocket to provide these enriching experiences. That is exactly why we are stepping up to help—and asking you to join us.

During the entire month of August, Hollywood Feed is matching customer donations up to $5,000! Every time you check out at your local store, simply ask to Round Up for Classroom Pets. Prefer to shop from home? You can also make a direct donation through our website, on our rescue donations page this month! Let’s explore exactly how your contribution is making a massive impact on local schools.

What is Pets in the Classroom?

Pets in the Classroom is an educational grant program that provides financial assistance to teachers to purchase and maintain small animals in the classroom.

Who qualifies for these grants? The teachers right in your community! The program is open to all PreK through 12th-grade teachers in both public and private schools across the United States and Canada. By alleviating the upfront and ongoing costs of habitats, food, and veterinary care, this program removes the financial barriers that often prevent teachers from bringing the joy of a pet into their curriculum.

Why Give to Pets in the Classroom?

You might be wondering, why do classroom pets matter so much? The benefits extend far beyond simply having a cute animal to look at during recess.

• Building Character: Interacting with a classroom pet drastically increases the empathy, compassion, and social skills of young students. It teaches them that animals require gentle handling, respect, and daily care.

• Teaching Responsibility: Assigning students “pet helper” duties—like measuring out food or ensuring the water bowl is full—fosters a deep sense of responsibility and routine.

• Engaging Learning: Let’s face it: pets make learning fun! Teachers frequently incorporate their classroom pets into math problems, science lessons, and creative writing assignments, making education far more engaging for all learning styles.

Your donations go directly to Pets in the Classroom, meaning the funds go straight into the hands of teachers who need help covering the costs of these incredible animal ambassadors.

What is Dogs in the Classroom?

In addition to traditional small classroom pets, we are also shining a spotlight on the amazing Dogs in the Classroom program!

Rather than a teacher keeping a dog full-time at the school, this unique program expertly matches a teacher with a registered therapy dog handler. These dedicated volunteers—along with amazing canine companions like Pet Partners Therapy Dog Riggs—visit classrooms to bring comfort, connection, and confidence to students. Reading to a therapy dog is proven to reduce anxiety in struggling readers, providing a non-judgmental, wagging audience that helps children build immense confidence.

Ways to Get Involved Today

Are you ready to help us reach our $5,000 matching goal? There are several easy ways to support the Round Up for Classroom Pets initiative this August:

1. Round Up In-Store: When you shop at your local Hollywood Feed, simply let our team know you want to round up your total at the register. You can also scan the donation barcode (2 00001 06107 3) in-store to contribute a specific amount.

2. Donate on the Hollywood Feed Website: Prefer to shop online? You can easily add a direct donation to your cart! Just visit Hollywood Feed Rescue Group & Community Partner Donation Page to contribute.

3. Donate via Pets in the Classroom: You can also donate directly through the organization’s website by visiting www.petsintheclassroom.org/donate.

4. Spread the Word: Tell the teachers in your local community about these amazing grant opportunities so they can apply for their own classrooms!

Recap: Supporting Our Schools

• Double Your Impact: Hollywood Feed is matching all Round Up for Classroom Pets donations this August, up to $5,000!

• Donate Online or In-Store: Round up at the register of your local store, or add a direct donation to your cart on the Hollywood Feed website.

• Empowering Educators: Grants go directly to PreK-12 public and private school teachers to cover the costs of classroom pets.

• Holistic Education: Classroom pets and visiting therapy dogs increase empathy, reduce anxiety, and make learning highly engaging.

• It Takes a Village: Even a few cents rounded up in-store or a direct donation online can change a child’s educational experience forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where exactly does the money from my donation go? Your donations go directly to the Pets in the Classroom organization. They distribute the funds as grants to approved teachers to help them cover the costs of purchasing the animal, its habitat, and ongoing supplies like food and bedding.

Can I donate online if I don’t live near a store? Absolutely! While the register round up is an in-store feature, you can easily donate directly on the Hollywood Feed website. Just add the Rescue Donation to your online cart before you check out.

Which teachers can apply for this grant? The grants are available to all PreK through 12th-grade teachers operating in public and private schools throughout the US and Canada. If you know a teacher in your local community, encourage them to apply!

Thank you for helping us make a difference! Visit your local Hollywood Feed today to speak with our expert team and round up your purchase for this amazing cause, or take advantage of our convenient Same Day Delivery and Curbside Pick-Up options where you can easily add a direct donation to your online order. Be sure to check out our blog for more expert pet care tips, community spotlights, and everything you need to navigate pet parenthood!