What do pit bulls and chocolate have in common? They are both sweet, they are both often given a bad rap and they are both passions of Sarah Gross, founder of Rescue Chocolate. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Rescue Chocolate donates 100% of the net profits from their sales to animal rescue organizations around the country.
The idea for Rescue Chocolate was born one morning while Sarah Gross was walking her dog, Mocha. Sarah had seen Mocha’s picture on Petfinder and instantly fell in love with the pit bull whose time was running out. She located the foster mom and went to meet Mocha. The rest is history.
While out on their morning walk, Sarah was eating a piece of dark chocolate when the idea hit her: why not put her two loves together? Sarah was working in a raw chocolate company and knew how to develop flavors. She also volunteered at local animal shelters. What better way to raise awareness about the epidemic of homeless pets in America than through something everyone loves: chocolate! Sarah, who is also co-founder of the the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, decided she could develop a line of chocolates, sell them and donate the profits to animals in need. And that is exactly what Rescue Chocolate does.
Rescue Chocolate, which is 100% vegan and Kosher Parve, is not only delicious but it’s educational. Each flavor is packaged in wrappers that shed light on different aspects of the current “overpopulation” epidemic.
Mission Feral Fig highlights the humane solution for feral cats, The Fix highlights spaying and neutering, Foster-iffic Peppermint showcases the need for foster homes, Pick Me! Pepper features the advantages of saving pets from shelters rather than buying them from pet shops or breeders and my favorite, Peanut Butter Pit Bull counters the negative public image of the pit bull breed. And new flavors are currently in development.
Rescue Chocolate is carried by a number of retail outlets in New York, San Diego, Chicago, and elsewhere, and it is also sold online. They also cater for special events with gift boxes, trays and personalized wrappers. In addition to chocolate, you can also buy Found leashes, t-shirts and gift certificates.
In this season of giving, what gift could be better than one that gives back? Rescue Chocolate was one of my picks in my 5 Favorite Gift Ideas that Help Sanctuaries and Animal Organizations.
And now The “V” Word is giving the gift of $25 Rescue Chocolate gift certificates to two (2) lucky people in the “Merry Mocha” Holiday Giveaway.
To win a $25 Rescue Chocolate gift certificate, all you have to do is:
1. Be a registered follower of The "V" Word blog.
2. Leave a comment about your own pit bull or rescue animal experience.
3. Provide an e-mail address so I can reach you to get your full name and address!
The winners will be chosen at random. The deadline to enter the giveaway is 11:59 pm Tuesday, December 20th and the winners will be notified on Wednesday, December 21st.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
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| Merry Mocha |
The "V" Word: Say it. Eat it. Live it.
UPDATE: THE WINNERS OF THE "MERRY MOCHA" GIVEAWAY AS SELECTED BY RANDOM.ORG ARE.....TATIANA AND TRISTA!! CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WILL BE CONTACTED SHORTLY BY E-MAIL!!
Both of my kitties are rescues. One was really badly abused somehow and was on an IV for a while and then had to be bottle fed. When we got her 5 years ago, she still was far too small and thin, but she filled out very quickly and has been perfectly healthy ever since!
ReplyDeleterebeccastar at gmail dot com
After ending a 3 yr relationship, I decided I needed a (rescue) dog! I began searching shelters, and was set on what I wanted - a pit bull! I did my research b/c of all the crap out there about them, and found out what great dogs they actually are. Unforunately I was still living at home and was told I could not get a pit bull (that damn stigma again).
ReplyDeleteI kept researching and found a shelter that takes in pregnant dogs; I went there and fell in love with my beautiful girl, Bella!! My husband and I now volunteer at that same shelter, and I am currently trying to get him to let me rescue another one ;o)-
tatiana514@gmail.com
Hi Rhea, I love this latest project of yours. I would love to join this giveaway as I do have adopted parrots. But time is limited so I will go online & see if I can order the chocolates for gifts. More than that I will check in with your friend if she can help with raising funds for Sasha's Sanctuary. See my Notes on FB.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to ask questions on the Sanctuary. Will get it going next year after raising some funds for start up costs.
Asha
This is so awesome! All of my babies are rescues. But the ones that are very special ones are my ratties. They have their own stories but the ones I have rescued are always tossed aside and no longer wanted once they are older and more likely to get sick. There's nothing I enjoy more than rescuing ratties that have been forgotten by their families!
ReplyDeleteladycalliereneegasper at gmail dot com
Fun giveaway! I have two awesome cats: the first I got from a no-kill shelter -- nobody really wanted her because she wasn't very friendly during adoption days at PETCO, where the shelter used to "show" her. But she's a love -- just wanted the right person, I guess! Then my second I got from a regular shelter: he'd been a stray found with his siblings and Mom and was the only one that wasn't adopted. I don't know why because he was so friendly and sweet!
ReplyDeletekatrina.donovan.fleming@gmail.com
I love this story! What a wonderful way to help animals. Thank you, Rhea, for sharing it with us all. We have a donkey rescue but also take in dogs, cats, pocket pets, chickens, goats and just about any animal that needs our help. We work with many other rescues to save and rehome pit bulls (we have 2 now who are now safe but in need of new homes) so I love what Sarah is doing and hooray for the vegan chocolate!
ReplyDeleteOne day a little voice in my head told me to look at the pics on my local shelter website and I would see a cat with a special mark on it. I checked it out and I saw a cat with a heart shape in its fur. Me and Adam went straight to the shelter and brought Brees home with us that day. He is the sweetest addition to our family! Tina Rashed
ReplyDeleteBoth of my pitbulls are rescues, but I am fortunate enough to live out my dream and work on cruelty investigations on a national Rescue Team, so I am reminded daily how many incredible animals there are out there in need (and how many amazing people there are stepping up to help!). I have learned more about life from rescued animals than I could ever learn anywhere else. Thanks so much for the giveaway :) ammauceri@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy dog Huckleberry and my my two new kittens are all from a shelter. Huck is a border collie mix. He is smart and gentle and pretty mellow. Great with kids, couldn't ask for a better dog!
ReplyDeleteMy rescued Pittie, Gabby, was saved by the SPCA cops from a dumpster and has been the greatest joy of my life ever since. She has taught me unconditional love, tolerance, patience (she's a nut) and gave me a reason to smile when I was going through a hard time and I wouldn't have much to smile about otherwise. I love my baby girl.
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I wanted a dog...bad. I think my mother took us to the SPCA cause it was cheaper. I don't know who had him before he was ours, but we could not have lucked in better. Simba (who was named accurately) was a Chow Chow mix (with what we never knew) and he was well trained (almost militantly). Looking back, it's funny to think how he become part of the family. When we first got him, he never ate from anyone's hand or off the floor; only from his dish. My dad still remembers when he got over that...and snatched his steak off his plate. (I think he would have preferred Simba not gotten over that one.) He wouldn't get on the sofa with us when he first came "home." (I think my mother would have preferred he not gotten over that one.) Eventually he would climb behind you while you were sleeping on the sofa and snuggle. It was sad as the years passed, watching him struggle to get up the stairs into the house and chew his food. Even my father was saddened when he passed. Through the good and bad, whether someone couldn't keep him or didn't want him, Simba was their loss and my family's gain.
ReplyDeletesleo8284@live.com
Our pets are all from a shelter. We first adopted Huckelberry in 2004 he is a boarder Collie mix and the best dog around. He is playfull and full of spirit. My kids love to lay on him and play catch with him. Just recently we adopted to kittens from the shelter after our other cat was hit by a car. Dexter and Oliver have brought so much joy to all of our lives and have helped the kids(and parents) hearts to heal after the loss of our cat Lisa. Jodyswenglin@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun blog!!! I love your recipes!! I will be following this one! Thank you for all you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you Connie :)
ReplyDelete