How it all Began...
On December 26, 2010 I received a most amazing Christmas gift - a puppy. I broke out into baby talk with her like any father would do with his baby. And that's how Tutu got her name. It did not take me too long to realize how much I loved Tutu. Over the next weeks and months, Tutu got the best of everything. Would my focus on Tutu reduce my commitment to my other pet cause - child hunger. Very early during Tutu's life with me, I made a commitment. I decided that I would donate penny-for-penny to charities that work hard to alleviate child hunger. I believe that Tutu has made a difference in the world. Tutu is a MercyPet. I am convinced that most people who love pets also care deeply about human concerns. Data suggests that Americans spend $61 billion annually on pets. Yet, just in the Dayton area, 17 precent of the residents including 39,390 children do not have enough to eat. Globally, some 795 million people do not have enough food to lead a healthy, active life. That is about 1/9 people on earth. In addition, 12.9 percent of the world's population is undernourished. Many of them are children. In fact, children are the most vulnerable. Annually, hunger related issues cause the death of 3.1 million children. The data is staggering. Here is where MercyPets comes in. If every pet-lover gave penny-for -penny of what they spend on pets to the cause of child hunger, we could eliminate it completely. But most people are unable to give a hundred percent. Yet, if every person decided to donate 1% of what they spend on pets it would add up to $61 million. That could make all the difference in the world. I shared my vision to connect pet lovers and child hunger with other pet parents and like-minded people. Before I knew it, MercyPets was born. The rest is history. Today, MercyPets has a Committee of dedicated volunteers, most of who are pet owners. But more importantly, each one of them cares deeply about child hunger. Based in Dayton, OH, MercyPets inspires pet lovers to help alleviate child hunger. I assure you that a 100% of your donations to MercyPets will go toward alleviating child hunger in the Dayton area, and as we grow, nationally and eventually internationally.
- Fr. Satish Joseph
