Pet products and monetary donations are gathering slowly in the office for The West Virginia Daily News’ item drive to benefit the Greenbrier Humane Society, but many more are needed to reach our goal.
The goal this year has been increased from 1,500 items to 2,000 to be collected within a 30-day period which began April 1 and will continue until the close of business, Friday, April 30.
Items on GHS’ most-needed list include:
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Dryer sheets
• Bleach
• Cleaning wipes
• Disinfectant spray
• Gallon size zipper storage bags
• Quart size zipper storage bags
• 13-gallon trash bags
• Paper towels
• Hand sanitizer
• Dawn dish soap
• Pill Pockets
• Dog and cat toys
• Dog and cat treats
• Dog and cat food
Pet foods collected during the WVDN item drive will be distributed by humane society staff to local food pantries as GHS has been accepted into Hill’s Pet Nutrition Food, Shelter & Love program that supplies the shelter with food.
“Thanks to this program, we are able to get this high quality, veterinarian-recommended food at a discounted price,” explained Darcie McCraw, GHS’s managing director.
While still struggling with the financial effects of the pandemic, many households are in need of good quality foods that will allow owners to keep their pets at home. To assist these pet families, GHS has been supplying six local food pantries with pet food to prevent a situation where pet owners would need to surrender their animals.
Although the shelter boasts a wonderful staff willing to care for these dogs and cats, “home is always best,” McCraw said.
“We continue to welcome and encourage donations of dog and cat food of any brand. Our wonderful staff portions and packs the food for pickup or delivery to some of our local food banks to be distributed,” McCraw said. “This is a way to help members of our community supplement their pet food supply and, in turn, keep the pets in their homes with their people. We hope you will continue to help us in this endeavor.”
Even though GHS is closed to the general public due to COVID-19, animal intakes and adoptions still continue through appointments.
Animals ready for adoption are pictured along with descriptions on the Greenbrier Humane Society’s Facebook page. Click on photos, then the “Available Cats” and “Available Dogs” albums to see which beautiful face will get a forever home with you.
The albums of available pets are kept up to date so any pictured furry snout that melts your heart is currently in the shelter. However, they may not be there for long. GHS has partnered with several rescue organizations in urban areas that often have waiting lists for cats and dogs. Although there are always animals at GHS, pets are typically rehomed within two weeks through local adoption or rescue partners.
According to GHS Facebook page, “Dogs pictured in this album are currently available for adoption! Because we are a first-come, first-adopt facility, dogs may be adopted or pulled by rescue at any moment. Please let a member of our staff know immediately if you have adoption interest in any of our dogs.”
Pets are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered in advance of adoption. For these reasons, GHS requests an $85 adoption fee for dogs.
“Included in the fee is their mandatory spay/neuter, heartworm test, rabies vaccine, first canine vaccines, flea treatment, de-worming, and a toenail trim,” the post explains.
The physical doors to the shelter may be closed, but the spay/neuter voucher program continues as it is the best way to combat overpopulation of stray animals, McCraw advises.
The GHS office is staffed Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the office is closed every Sunday, Monday and on major holidays.
For more information visit the Greenbrier Humane Society Facebook page, the website www.greenbrierhumane.org, or call 304-645-4775.
People wishing to donate to the GHS item drive can drop pet care products by The West Virginia Daily News office at 188 Foster Street in Lewisburg between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Let’s keep those items coming through the door so we can meet or, better yet, exceed the goal of 2,000 items.
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