For the third year in a row, area businesses joined forces to bring savings to the community while helping out homeless pets at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society.

From Aug. 17-31, participating businesses offered promotional deals for customers who brought in a GMHS wish list item or monetary donation. Hosted by Denise Hutchins from Brent and Becky’s, the Dog Days of Summer arrived at GMHS on a wave of much-needed donations for homeless pets, according to a release from GMHS.

Representatives from participating businesses met at GMHS on Sept. 6 to donate the wish list items and money collected. Area businesses collected over 400 pounds of pet food, generated $2,575.28 in monetary donations, and donated a ton of treats, toys, pet beds, and even cleaning and office supplies.

Participating businesses were: Avon (by Chris Phelps-Brown), Brent and Becky’s, Chesapeake Marine Training Institute, Gloucester Florist, Juan’s Mexican Café and Cantina, Little Caesars...