Rowlett business commits to saving pets

Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel (center) joins Unleashed by Petco store manager Bobby Woods and adoption coordinator Leslie Morgan to present the donation to Rockwall Pets co-founders Pam and Michael Kitkoski. Photos by Paul Fontenot.

ROWLETT, TX (March 11, 2014) Rowlett moved one step closer toward joining the nearly 250 No Kill communities across the United States. As part of the grand opening celebration of the new Unleashed by Petco in Rowlett, the pet store donated $1,500 to the lifesaving efforts of Rockwall Pets.

Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel joined Unleashed by Petco store manager Bobby Woods and adoption coordinator Leslie Morgan in presenting the donation to Rockwall Pets co-founders Pam and Michael Kitkoski.

Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel, Unleashed by Petco store manager Bobby Woods and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Michael Gallops cut the ribbon to officially open the new pet store.

The new Unleashed by Petco hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday March 8. In addition to Mayor Gottel, city officials in attendance included Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Michael Gallops, Director of Economic Development Jim Grabenhorst and park board member Brownie Sherrill. Rockwall Pets representatives included rescue division manager Christina Arriaga and cat program manager Jeri Fontenot.

Rockwall Pets rescued nearly 10% of all the pets taken in by the Rowlett shelter last year. The nonprofit is on track to rescue even more this year, especially dogs and cats who are suffering from severe injuries and illness. Rockwall Pets is working to establish lifesaving protocols at the Rowlett shelter, making it a No Kill facility.

The term “No Kill” means returning “euthanasia” to its dictionary definition by ending the killing of healthy and treatable pets in shelters. Shelter killing is the number one cause of death for healthy dogs and cats in the United States, according to the American Humane Association. To enhance its No Kill advocacy, Rockwall Pets rescues animals at risk of dying in area animal shelters, gives them full veterinary care and finds them a permanent home.

Grand opening festivities at the Rowlett Unleashed by Petco, including adoptable pets from Rockwall Pets, continue through March 23.

More information about Rockwall Pets is available at rockwallpets.com.

More information about Unleashed by Petco is available at unleashedby.petco.com.

Story by Michael Kitkoski. Photos by Paul Fontenot.

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