Stones River Mall and Doggie's Day Out recently presented Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Services (P.A.W.S.) with donations collected during Wags & Whiskers pet nights with the Easter Bunny.

Pet-loving shoppers donated two dozen bags of dog food and $100 in cash in exchange for a complimentary professional photo of their dogs and cats posing with Stones River Mall's Easter Bunny.

"This is the first year we have partnered with Doggie's Day Out during Wags & Whiskers to collect donations, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the turnout," said Melinda Noblitt, Marketing & Events Manager for Stones River Mall. "Our goal is to grow the program even further to continue supporting local animal groups like Rutherford County P.A.W.S."

Each holiday season, Doggie's Day Out selects a different local dog rescue to serve as the beneficiary of all the donations collected during Paws & Claus. Moving forward, all donations collected during Wags & Whiskers will be earmarked for Rutherford County P.A.W.S.

"Doggie's Day Out advocates for several rescues in the area, including Middle Tennessee Treasures and Operation Education," said Denise O'Connell King, owner of Doggie's Day Out. "We foster rescue dogs for these organizations and support their various projects. These rescue dogs have traveled a tough road and deserve a helping hand to find loving homes."

Rutherford County P.A.W.S. works in partnership with the community to create a safe, healthy, and caring environment for both our citizens and animals through education, adoption, and courteous, effective enforcement of the Tennessee Codes annotated relating to animals and the rules & regulations pertaining to control of animals in Rutherford County.

"In 2015, 2,299 animals were adopted through Rutherford County P.A.W.S., an increase of 586 from 2014," said Lindsay Frierson, Public Relations and Media Specialist with Rutherford County P.A.W.S. "We are better able to care for the animals we serve because of continued support of our local community."