Sugar Land girl wins $10K grant for her local animal rescue group

SUGAR LAND, Texas (FOX 26) - A 10-year-old  Sugar Land girl, Irene Capitano shares her story of how her adopted dog, Vadar, inspired her to create a lifesaving business to help homeless pets has won her local shelter, Mutts and Meows Animal Rescue in Missouri City a $10,000 grant from the Petco Foundation.  

When Irene first saw Vadar at a local rescue shelter, she said that was the moment that changed everything. "He just started licking my face. He was the sweetest dog I've ever met. I begged to hold him."  Her dad said, "He was terrified. He wouldn't come out for anyone but her."

In a special celebration on November 30, Mutts and Meows Animal Rescue will receive the $10,000 grant as part of the Petco Foundation’s 2018 Holiday Wishes campaign, and Irene and her dog Vadar will receive a shopping spree from Petco.

This year, the Petco Foundation announced 51 Holiday Wishes grant recipients from across the country for a total of $755,000 in grant awards to support the year-round lifesaving efforts of these animal welfare organizations.

After she adopted Vadar, Irene decided to start her own businesses creating collars and leashes, Bow Bow Bling Bling and Beauty for Beasts. Proceeds go to the Mutts and Meows Animal Rescue