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Ginger Smulson , Mascot and Public Relations Director
Operation Blankets of Love
I was about five months old, wandering a scorching desert highway in Palmdale, California. I was so tired, scared, thirsty, hungry, and confused. I didn't know how I ended up in the middle of nowhere. Thank goodness someone found me because I had no tags or microchip. I was placed in a pleasant animal rescue group run by a wonderful lady. |
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October 11, 2003 is a day I will never forget. I was taken to Northridge, California with fifteen other homeless pets so the rescue lady could find a forever loving home for us.
I was the only one that did not yelp, bark, or cry. I was so timid and scared. I sat quietly in a pet cage waiting to be discovered. All of a sudden I was put into the arms of a man who petted and hugged me. Gee, this was the first time I was ever petted in my life and it felt so good. Then a woman bent over and did the same thing. Well, I was one lucky dog that day. They became my Mom and Pop and I became part of their family.
My forever Mom never had a furry child before and had to go to doggie training school so we could learn the ropes together. In just over a year this is what I am proud to say we accomplished together: |
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Recipient of the American Red Cross Community Service Award |
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Graduate of 6 dog training classes: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Tricks, Fun and Games and Dancing with the Dogs, plus Outdoor Agility |
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Certified pet therapy partner: visiting assisted living homes, veteran hospitals, nursing homes, schools and community centers |
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Volunteer for Kids N Pets pet education programs to schools |
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Volunteer for READ Dog (Read Education Assistance Dog) Program: One-on-one reading with the kids in schools and libraries |
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Big Socialite...I just love people |
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| Ginger and a 5-year old friend participate in the READ DOG program. |
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| A rescued Pit Bull, once used in dog fights, shows that the simple addition of a soft blanket and a toy can make a world of difference in the life of an abused animal. |
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Thousands of homeless animals adopted from shelters because of OBOL. The donated items of comfort increase an animal’s chance for adoption, thus eliminating the need of euthanasia due to shelter overpopulation.
Product donations of over 100,000 items collected, transported and secured for use in animal shelters, rescue groups, foster homes and sanctuaries. This resulted in thousands of animals being saved. |
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Financial Benefits for over 200 Rescue Groups. Items donated by OBOL helps save the rescue groups money averaging $500 to $1000 because we donate needed items such as blankets, comforters, towels, pet beds, food, treats, leashes, clothes, pet carriers, vitamins, grooming supplies, dog igloos, cat trees, pet carriers, gates, pet clothes, etc.
Funds earmarked for these items can then be used to cover the cost to spay and neuter, place microchips and to buy food and medicines that nourish and protect the animals. Rescue groups also use funds to aid homeless animals with special needs such as senior pets with medical problems and newborn puppies and kittens..
OBOL helped save the lives of hundreds of evacuated pets during the Southern California wildfires, donating thousands of items to animals rescue groups and shelters.
OBOL donated several hundred items to aid the 80 sick and dying animals rescued from a Mojave compound
OBOL continues to donate blankets, towels, food, medicine and other comfort items to rescue groups to care for animals abandoned due to foreclosure.
During the winter storms in Acton, OBOL supported many rescue groups, providing more than 2,000 blankets, comforters and other needed items to help save dogs, cats and farm animals.
OBOL has increased awareness of our program by making more than 50 pet care presentations to schools, youth groups, chambers of commerce, and business and civic groups.
OBOL serves 10 counties in California and have transported donations to Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Distributed items to a local shelter to help care for more than two dozen sick and dying puppies shipped illegally from South Korea.
OBOL provides comfort items and toys for pit bulls rescued from dog fighting rings.
OBOL established over 35 drop-off locations.
OBOL has been featured in the Sunday Los Angeles Daily Newspaper, The Pet Press, various dog enthusiast publications, CNN-Headline News, Fox, Good Morning LA and numerous newspapers, animal radio and cable shows and pet blogs nationwide.
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Eileen Smulson, Founder and President
Operation Blankets of Love |
I never owned a pet until my husband, Brad, and I adopted Ginger. I could not picture Ginger lying frightened and sad on a cold hard cement floor, caged up in a shelter. I wanted to make sure every homeless pet had warmth and comfort by having a blanket to snuggle in while they were waiting to be adopted into a loving forever home.
Ginger is my inspiration to launch Operation Blankets of Love. She is also our Mascot and Public Relations Director. Click here to read the whole story. |
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| Eileen and Ginger appear on Animal Planet's "Beverly Hills Groomer" in May 2009. Ginger was the first pet to be groomed by Artist on his reality show. |
| Eileen and Ginger pick up blankets and pet beds from one of the many OBOL drop-off locations. |
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