Heidi and Joel Neal of Rockland, first purchased the Loyal Biscuit Co. in January of 2009. What was then a single retail location with one employee has since grown to add five additional locations with twenty eight employees. The primary focus of the Loyal Biscuit Co. is to not only supply Maine communities with healthy dog and cat supplies, but to provide support to the local humane societies with donations of healthy pet food, financial support, and promoting adoption of companion animals.

As the Neal’s enter their 10^th year of business, they wanted to be able to provide more funding for non-profit organizations within the state of Maine. Heidi created the Loyal Biscuit Co. Fenway Fund, named after her dog and beloved logo. Grants are funded by the proceeds of sales within their six retail locations and will be awarded bi-annually to 501c3 Maine animal related organizations whose proposals are selected by a committee of Loyal Biscuit Co. employees. The Fund is a vital way for the Loyal Biscuit to support animal welfare within Maine communities by providing seed money for projects that will help better the lives of animals that often fall below funding availability.

The Loyal Biscuit committee has selected their first round of applicants to receive grant funding for projects they feel best met the criteria of the fund. The PAWS Animal Adoption Center of Rockport, Maine will receive a $1,600 grant for a feline recovery room at their current location. By establishing a permanent and adequately equipped recovery room, the shelter will be able to expand their capacity to care for sick and injured felines as well as shorten the recovery time for felines that come through their doors. “The Cat Recovery Room is so important to our feline friends at PAWS Animal Adoption Center,” says Shelly Butler, Executive Director of PAWS. “This will help so many animals feel better sooner and be adopted into loving homes quicker!”  The SPCA of Hancock County in Trenton, Maine was awarded a $6,000 grant for the installation of new garage doors to their outdoor kennels which will provide adequate protection for the dog’s in their care during the winter months, as well as provide increased space in the kennel area. The Waldo County Pet Food Pantry of Belfast, Maine will receive a $2,500 grant to aid in the funding of rabies clinics, a spay and neuter program, and emergency vet care for residents within Knox and Waldo counties. This allows for families to receive proper care for their pets without the fear of needing to relinquish them due to financial burden. Finally, the Thomaston Dog Park of Thomaston, Maine was awarded a $1,000 grant for the construction of a permanent storage shed at their facility to safely house maintenance equipment. The secure storage of the park’s equipment will allow volunteers easier access to the tools to help maintain the property, providing a clean and pleasant environment for the dog community.

The application process for the Fenway Fund will re-open in January 2020 for any 501c3 Maine animal related organizations. For more information or questions about the Fenway Fund application process, please contact heidi@loyalbiscuit.com.

The Loyal Biscuit Co. is an award-winning pet supply store with locations at Reny’s Plaza, 1 Belmont Avenue, Belfast; Hannaford Shopping Plaza, 421 Wilson Street, Brewer; US Route 1, Camden-Rockport; 160 Water Street, Hallowell; 408 Main Street, Rockland; and 109 Main Street, Waterville. You can find the LBC online at loyalbiscuit.com or facebook.com/loyalbiscuit.