When animal rights group Dogs Deserve Better couldn’t come up with enough money to buy Michael Vick’s old dog-fighting compound, it was obvious they needed some fundraising help.

Enter Central Bark Doggy Day Care. Twenty-seven of the chain’s 28 individually owned stores are helping DDB raise the additional $30,000 the group needed to purchase the $600,000 land and repurpose the Bad Newz Kennels to Good Newz Rehabilitation Center. The new center would give food, shelter and medical attention to dogs that have been chained and neglected.

“They will have experts there to work with the dogs there,” Judi Haft, owner of the Oswego Central Bark, said. “It’s a better situation for the dogs.”

The Bad Newz Kennels, located in Surrey County, Virginia, made news in 2007 when authorities found a dog-fighting ring and more than 70 pit bull terriers on the NFL player’s premises, Haft said.

“When we heard that Dogs Deserve Better was trying to turn what was a national tragedy into something very positive, it was something I could get behind and help them,” Haft said. “We can turn it into something positive.”

Haft decided to hold a $1-per-ticket raffle to raise money in a short amount of time. DDB needs the money from all the chapters by April 25 to secure the loan, so Haft has been taking drop-off contributions at her store. Recent Central Bark events have also provided an opportunity for donations, she said.

“We turned last Saturday night into a fundraiser, people are donating cash and clients are selling (raffle) tickets for us,” Haft said. “It’s kind of turning into a competition of who can sell the most tickets.”

To spur the competition between ticket-selling clients, Haft is offering prizes to those who sell certain amounts. The client who sells the most raffle tickets will win a 10-day doggie day care package worth $294.50.

“They’re taking it to the next level, really,” Haft said. “Someone’s sold over 200 tickets. We have a Facebook page and there are clients saying, ‘I sold 250,’ or ‘I sold 260.’ It’s quite fun to watch.”

One of the extremely-involved clients is Casi Grabill, who is the marketing director at Carson Chiropractic, 4541 State Route 71.

“This seemed pretty easy, it’s a good cause and it creates something good out of something that was pretty horrible,” Grabill said. “… To help out an organization that is trying to help helpless animals, it’s a no-brainer for me. I know a lot of people, and I wanted to do what I could to help out Dogs Deserve Better.”

Carson Chiropractic donated a one-hour massage to the raffle, which Grabill said has been a popular choice to some of the people she’s sold tickets to. Grabill also approached other businesses about donating to the raffle, including Victory Martial Arts, which donated 10 $100 gift certificates. Grabill also was able to persuade Savvy Fashions and Howey’s on 71 to donate, she said.

“If you don’t have a dog, you don’t want to win dog-related items,” Grabill said. “That was my reason for wanting to get different items.”

Some of the other 21 prizes include jewelry, a one-night stay at Homewood Suite by Hilton, a Pooper Scoopers’ spring cleanup, a Mary Kay kit, and more.

“This is a good thing, this is cool,” Haft said. “We’re turning a national horror into something positive.”

Raffle tickets will only be available through today, and Haft will draw the prizes on Saturday and will notify the winners.

Each Central Bark is attempting to raise $1,000 by Friday, when the money needs to get to DDB. So far, Haft has raised $987, so she is confident she will meet, and hopefully surpass, that mark.

To donate, stop by Central Bark, 456 Treasure Drive, or donate directly to DDB by visiting its Web site, www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

“Donate online and help out in a ton of ways,” Haft said. “Let’s get this turned into something positive.”