For the second 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. 1-19, 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.

Representatives from participating businesses met at GMHS on Aug. 22 to donate the wish list items and money collected. As of that date, area businesses collected over 1,000 pounds of pet food, $625, and a wealth of treats, toys, pet beds, and even cleaning and office supplies. Participating businesses included:

Gloucester Florist, Split Enz Salon, The Closing Shop, Safe Harbor Storage, Prost! Food Truck, Juan’s Mexican Café and Cantina, Consociate Media/Marker Nine, Brent and Becky’s, Whitley’s Peanuts, Bay S...