Cookbook Benefits Homeless Animals

If animals could cook for their human companions, they would choose recipes from “Table Scraps – Cookbook for People.”

If animals could cook for their human companions, they would choose recipes from “Table Scraps – Cookbook for People.”

This new first edition cookbook, published as a fundraiser for Pet Adoption League (PAL), features 450 recipes from PAL volunteers, supporters and local restaurants. Some of the recipes from Tulsa’s fine dining venues have never been shared before now.

There are sections for pet treats, appetizers and beverages, soups and salads, vegetables, savory breads, muffins and coffee cakes, main dishes, and desserts. Recipes range from simple to sophisticated, and cover all tastes and skill levels. There are all-American favorites, as well as recipes with ethnic flair. “This is the perfect go-to cookbook to find something quick and delicious for one, or a complete menu to impress a group,” says project chair Amy Hoagland.

Proceeds from “Table Scraps” benefit the approximately 130 dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes through Pet Adoption League. The nonprofit organization has placed more than 4,000 animals since its beginning in 1998. Many of these animals are adults, one year and older. Despite loving personalities and a calmness that comes with maturity, these creatures were all too often overlooked or rejected by other rescue organizations, in favor of puppies or kittens. PAL became their advocate.

“This has been the most challenging year in our history,” says Sherri Hardy, president of the all-volunteer organization. “We’ve been hit hard by the overwhelming number of animals who need our help while we have a shortage of foster homes for both dogs and cats.” Some are homeless because their owners became terminally ill, passed away or simply abandoned them. The poor economy forced others to lose their homes. “They all came with stories, and all of them were sad.”

Volunteers from Pet Adoption League have a heart for animals that are large and small, young and old, unique and ordinary. They believe animals are valuable assets to human life. They work tirelessly to rescue, show, transport, foster and otherwise care for the animals in need, for as long as it takes to find them the right home. Sometimes the wait is a year or more. Their payment is the joy of seeing a dog or cat go to a home where it will be loved and cared for all its life.

PAL volunteers show as many animals as possible at two Tulsa PetSmart locations, 71st Street at Highway 169 and 41st Street between Yale and Sheridan. A calendar of show dates and times is available on the PAL website, www.pet-adopt.org.

Because PAL has no shelter or facility of its own, they must rely on foster homes to care for the dogs and cats. If no foster homes are available, they are boarded at several veterinary clinics. Proceeds from the cookbooks help defray these boarding expenses and medical costs that exceed modest adoption fees.

“Table Scraps – Cookbook for People” is available at approximately 100 distribution points throughout the area. These include veterinary hospitals, groomers, specialty retailers and restaurants. They are also available on show days at PetSmart locations. A complete list, along with all animals waiting for adoption, can be found on the PAL website.

“We want people to know there is something they can do to help, even if they can’t adopt or foster an animal,” says Amy. Every cookbook sold for $20, which is tax-deductible, means $15 goes back to the animals. People who don’t cook can pick up a copy or two for holiday or hostess gifts.

For more information, call Pet Adoption League at (918) 365-8725.

For more information, contact

Pet Adoption League

(918) 365-8725

www.pet-adopt.org
www.petadoptionleague.petfinder.com