Nytec, Inc., a Redmond-based engineering firm, held its first pet food drive benefiting the Seattle Animal Shelter, with its employees donating 531 cans of dog and cat food, 19 bags of food equaling 130 pounds, pet shelters and other assorted supplies. The estimated value of all donations totals almost $1,500.

“Our employees really embraced giving back and the results are overwhelming,” says marketing coordinator Alexandra Dorsett. “We are so overjoyed to be able to come together as a team and extend our company philosophy of compassion to shelter pets during the holidays, as well as promote a great cause.”

All donations were collected in memory of “Piglet,” a small Maltese that was Nytec’s unofficial mascot for years. Piglet passed away in September at the Seattle Animal Shelter, a nonprofit that helps 6,000 area animals a year.

More than 150 Nytec employees made donations, and in return received a raffle ticket for each item. The winners were announced Dec. 14 at the annual company-wide holiday party.

The company is involved with various charities and will add this event to its corporate outreach program.