Raising Cane's Plush Puppy Campaign donates $1K to The Haven

Provided by Raising Cane's

Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves has always been an animal lover. In fact, he named his popular chain of chicken fingers restaurants after his beloved yellow Labrador, Cane.

Lubbock animal rescue organization, The Haven, reaped the benefit of that relationship when the local Raising Cane's restaurants recently presented the organization's leaders with checks totaling $1,413.36.

The fundraiser was made possible by the Louisiana-based chain's Plush Puppy campaign, an annual holiday tradition inspired by Cane, a certified pet therapy dog who makes weekly visits to hospitals and nursing homes. In 2014, restaurants nationwide rang in the season in true Cane's style by partnering with the iconic Warner Bros. classic, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," for its cute and cuddly collectible pups.

Customers were invited to purchase these mascots during the holiday season, with 100 percent of net proceeds donated to pet welfare organizations in each of Raising Cane's local communities.

A record total of $73,977 will be distributed nationwide this year, more than double the amount raised and contributed last year.

"Since our founding, Raising Cane's has made pet welfare one of our five focus areas of community support. We take great pride in this mission knowing that we're providing animals with loving homes through The Haven's noble calling," said Christina Thompson, general manager for three Cane's locations. "None of this could have been done, however, without the help of the local community. Lubbock-area Caniacs deserve a world of gratitude for teaming up with us to make it all possible."

The Louisiana-based chain known for its ONE LOVE® -- quality chicken finger meals –has consistently been named one of the "Best Companies To Work For" in communities throughout its system. Respected for its great crew, cool culture and commitment to community involvement, Raising Cane's is in the midst of a rapid expansion across the nation.