Howard County, MD - December 15, 2009 - Friends of Pets on Wheels Howard County, an organization that supports Howard County Pets on Wheels, has established the Friends of Pets on Wheels Howard County Fund with The Columbia Foundation, Howard County’s community foundation.

Begun in 1986, Howard County Pets on Wheels provides friendly pet visits to those in nursing and assisted living homes, adult day care facilities and senior centers. Last year, approximately 60 volunteers made over 800 visits with their pets to 13 facilities throughout the county.

Howard County Pets on Wheels was at one time operated by Pets on Wheels, Inc. When that group could no longer provide funding, The Howard County Office of Aging took it over in 2007 in recognition of its value and importance to the senior community. Friends of Pets on Wheels Howard County helps to raise community support for the organization, similar to the Friends of Howard County Library.

Sharonlee Vogel, Chair of Friends of Pets on Wheels Howard County’s Advisory Group, says that “the organization’s work has an extremely low economic impact, but provides a huge benefit to so many in the community.”

For more information about Howard County Pets on Wheels, please call Tricia Summers at 410-313-7461 or email her at tsummers@howardcountymd.gov. For information about The Columbia Foundation, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded over $10 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 250 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.