Heidi and Joel Neal, of Rockland, first purchased the Loyal Biscuit Co. in January of 2009. What was then a single retail location with one employee has since grown to add six additional locations. The primary focus of the Loyal Biscuit Co. is to not only supply Maine communities with healthy dog and cat supplies, but to provide support to the local animal shelters with donations of healthy pet food, financial support, and promoting the adoption of companion animals, according to Loyal Biscuit, in a news release.

As the Neals celebrated their 10th year of business in 2020, they wanted to be able to provide more funding for nonprofit organizations within the state of Maine. Heidi created the Loyal Biscuit Co. Fenway Fund in 2019, named after her beloved dog and Loyal Biscuit Co logo. Grants are funded by the proceeds of sales within the six Loyal Biscuit retail locations and are awarded bi-annually to 501c3 Maine animal related organizations whose proposals are selected by a committee of Loyal Biscuit Co. employees. The Fenway Fund is a vital way for Loyal Biscuit to support animal welfare within Maine communities by providing seed money for projects that will help better the lives of animals that often fall below funding availability.

Since its beginnings in 2019, Loyal Biscuit Fenway Fund has donated over $80,000 to local organizations.

Last week, the Loyal Biscuit committee selected their seventh round of applicants to receive grant funding for projects they feel best met the criteria of the fund, for a total donation of $5,500.

Darrowby Farm, in Jefferson, will receive a $1,500 grant for the addition of gutters to their barn. In 2022, they created a pig barn, but with the heavy rains, it was discovered gutters were needed for the safety of their animals. The mud created from the lack of gutters caused several pigs to have hoof infections due to the depth of the mud they needed to pass through. The gutters will also create a much safer work environment for the humans and living area for the animals. Darrowby Farm was founded in 2019 to provide lifelong homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned farmed animals and horses. 

Milo Penquis Animal Welfare Sanctuary, in Milo, will receive $1,500 for the installation of windows in their all season porch addition. This will create a year-round, safe space for the cats in their care – giving them seven windows to bask in the sun and watch the world around them. 

Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue, in North Yarmouth, will receive a grant for $1,800 to repair their fencing ruined in a storm. They currently have 15 senior dogs in their care and the fence will ensure the dogs are safe and secure while enjoying the outside, or going out for the business break. 

Humane Society Waterville Area, in Waterville, will receive a grant of $700 to help with their Silver Street Colony Control Project. Anyone in the Waterville area knows that cat population on Silver Street is large and needs a special focus to be improved. These funds will be used to help defray much of the costs associated with paying and neutering the cats on Silver Street. 

“I am so proud of our Fenway Fund committee for the great selections they made in this round of funding from our program,” said Neal. “The projects these rescue organizations are doing to better the lives of animals in our communities are amazing and I love that we get to be a part of it. Giving back to our communities has always been a priority of ours since the day we started and to now be able to grant these funds to some pretty amazing organizations is such a great feeling. We honestly have the best customers because none of this would be possible without them.”

The application process for the Fenway Fund will re-open again in March 2024 for any 501c3 Maine animal related organizations. For more information or questions about the Fenway Fund application process, please contact bark@loyalbiscuit.com.

The Loyal Biscuit Co. is an award-winning pet supply store with locations at 180 Front St, Bath; Reny’s Plaza, 1 Belmont Avenue, Belfast; Hannaford Shopping Plaza, 421 Wilson Street, Brewer; US Route 1, Camden-Rockport; 160 Water Street, Hallowell; 408 Main Street, Rockland; and 109 Main Street, Waterville. You can find the LBC online at loyalbiscuit.com or facebook.com/loyalbiscuit.