Each holiday season Raising Cane’s restaurants team up with a local pet welfare organization to sell a limited-edition plush toy puppy and donate 100% of the net proceeds to the organization. In 2019, the Kearney restaurant partnered with the Kearney Area Animal Shelter, KAAS, and donated over $1,300 to them from the sale of the plush puppies.
KAAS is a no kill animal shelter and is dedicated to finding the perfect home for each pet in their care. There is no time limit imposed on animals as long as the animal is medically and behaviorally healthy. They partner with other animal welfare organizations and specialized rescues to help find loving homes for animals, as needed.
The Raising Cane’s Plush Puppies were inspired by Founder Todd Graves lovable best friend, and our namesake, Raising Cane—a yellow Labrador. “The program started in 2004, and it’s one that we look forward to each year. A big thank you to all who purchased a plush puppy, as you’re the ones who helped make this donation possible,” said Matt Wachter, General Manager of the Kearney Raising Cane’s.
See some of the past favorite plush puppies at raisingcanes.com/plushpuppy.
Picture:
From left to right:
Constance Koenig, Demetrie Koenig, Matt Wachter (Raising Cane’s General Manager), Jessica Padilla, Olivia Derr (Executive Director of the KAAS), Destiny Hill
About Raising Cane’s: The Raising Cane’s franchise—Southern Hospitality Ventures—was opened in 2006 by Justin and Jennifer Jones, who moved to the Midwest from Louisiana. Since opening their first location, they have set out to make a change in their community by becoming active community leaders with programs such as this one. Since 2006, the franchise has given back over $2 million to their restaurants’ communities. Raising Cane’s has One Love—quality chicken finger meals—and focuses its menu offering on fresh, made-to-order chicken fingers paired with their homemade Cane’s Sauce, grilled Texas toast, fresh coleslaw and crinkle-cut fries.