September 18, 2005

By: Colten Rice
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

The Marley Collection Debut At Pet Supplies Plus

Marley Fund is pleased to announce the debut of The Marley Collection cat-pup tents, a handcrafted tent designed by Marley Fund to raise funds for feline leukemia research and community education.

In addition to the tents, Marley the Cat will appear in photos for a five-dollar donation and "Stop the Cycle" t-shirts will also be on sale.

Catherine Hannan, Marley Fund Area coordinator for Gates, Pasquotank and Hertford Counties, handcrafted, designed and reproduced this masterpiece design for the fund, the cat-pup tent. Each tent series will represent a victim of feline leukemia virus using different fabric design.

The tents have been so successful that Marley Fund is working to have these cat-pup beds manufactured locally for sale and distribution in the region.

Currently, The Marley Collection consists of 12 designs or tents selected as a tribute to feline leukemia victims Mango, Kiowa, Milo, Janis, Mr. Boots, Banana Mae, Blue Rhonda, Pudd, Mango Two, Haley, Max and Isabella Blue The fabrics and patterns memorialize the cat they are named after and are chosen to resemble their namesake. They plan to introduce more patterns and names for the series.

Marley Fund Founding President, Joy Eubanks said, "Our debut at Petsmart Greenville in January was a sell out and all 24 tents from our first set were sold in less than three hours. People seemed to really like them and it was an honor for the memory of my cat, Marley, who I lost to feline leukemia."

That successful sale lead to this new opportunity to raise for feline leukemia research and education through cat tent sales. "Just think what this could do for feline leukemia research and education," said Eubanks.

"We have preliminary calculations totaling over four million dollars in revenue, if this tent is taken to the level that we are working for," said Eubanks. If successful, their new project will enable Marley Fund to provide over a million dollars to both North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell University in New York, and will provide funds for the first special needs animal shelter in North Carolina.

Eubanks said that it is hard for even the top universities to find funding for retrovirus research due to the large cost for projects of this nature. "Research projects can cost over two million dollars and this one of the reasons that research has been put on hold at many universities. With cat tent sales in that magnitude, we anticipate we could be able to give these universities funds to make a difference as well as build a special needs animal shelter," said Eubanks.

Future plans to have the first retrovirus shelter in North Carolina have been discussed by the Marley Fund board members. Eubanks said, "To be able to have a shelter for feline leukemia and feline aids victims so that animal shelters will never have euthanasia as their only recourse will be tremendous." Eubanks receives calls weekly from animal organizations throughout Eastern North Carolina who need homes for infected animals.

Marley Fund board members have been hard at work to make the Marley Collection their primary fundraising goal of 2003. Currently, they are producing around 30 tents per month for local distribution until production negotiations are in place.

Marley Fund board members welcomed new member and area coordinator Catherine Hannan, in February. She also designed and hand-makes each tent. Hannan says she is happy to help make a difference and has gladly donated her design to Marley Fund. Hannan researched her design and contacted a patent attorney on behalf of the fund.

She became involved with the Marley Fund when her own cat, Kiowa, was diagnosed with the deadly virus in June 2002. She called the NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine to find the latest on feline leukemia and the university placed her in contact with Eubanks and the two have been working together since that time. Eubanks and Hannan both lost their animals to feline leukemia.

Due to the overwhelming demand for the tents Marley Fund will trademark the name, "Marley Collection." The organization is negotiating with a Kinston manufacturer to mass-produce them. Marley Fund hopes to begin selling them in area stores by the end of 2003.

For more information, see pet training aids.

About The Author:

Colten Rice is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.