/PRNewswire/ - Popp's Riverwalk CITGO, with support from CITGO Petroleum Corporation, has kicked off its first annual "Popp's for Paws" fundraiser and pet food drive to support the Lakeshore Humane Society (LHS). Now through Nov. 20, customers are invited to drop off canned pet food and purchase "Popp's Paws" for $1 and $5 at Popp's Riverwalk CITGO located at 50 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, Wis. All of the proceeds will go to the Lakeshore Humane Society (LHS) to provide funds for spaying and neutering, medical care, food and shelter for hundreds of homeless animals each year.

"We are proud to support Lakeshore Humane Society and the hundreds of homeless animals it cares for in our community," said Randy Popp, president and operator of Popp's Riverwalk CITGO. "It will undoubtedly warm the heart to know a mere $1 or $5 donation, or a purchase of a small can of pet food, can save a homeless pet." 

Since 1971, LHS has worked to prevent cruelty to animals and advance humane education. Each year, more than 1,000 animals, primarily dogs and cats, receive care from LHS. The past year has been a particularly active year for LHS as a result of the economic downturn, with many families simply unable to afford care for their pets.

"During this time of year, the Lakeshore Humane Society is always in need of additional funds. As the seasons change and the weather becomes colder, it's even more important to protect dogs and cats that may not have a warm home," said Gaye Lewin, director of the Lakeshore Humane Society. "Thanks to the generous donations from our community supporters, like CITGO and Popp's Riverwalk CITGO, we can continue to care for these innocent animals and help them find loving families who are looking for a special companion."

As part of the "Popp's for Paws" campaign, Popp's Riverwalk CITGO and LHS will hold a pet adoption event on Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. People can come by and meet some of the dogs and cats who need a loving home and can also contribute to the pet food drive and the "Popp's for Paws" campaign.

The LHS fundraiser is one of many programs going on during the month of November at Popp's Riverwalk CITGO. As part of Popp's Annual Customer Appreciation Month, customers can receive great savings and special offers and participate in raffles and door prizes when using the Popp's Loyalty card.

Local CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Wisconsin own and operate more than 300 CITGO locations and are proud to support their local organizations. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations in your community, visit www.CITGO.com.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 769,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,700 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. 

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