The Humane Educational Society is seeking help from Heritage High School for pet food donations by September 19th, 2024. Mr. Alan Broom and the Flag Football Team accompanied by Mrs. Allison Gonzalez and Mrs. Tammy Thatcher are hosting a Pet Food Drive to help out this shelter. The goal of the Pet Food Drive is to support the society’s efforts by donating cat and dog food to feed the animals.
“We desperately need the pet food donations. I haven’t had anybody bring any in. I’ve contributed, but I know the shelter does need a lot of help with food supplies for all the dogs that they do have.I think it’s a great opportunity to share the love and wealth, especially with dogs that are definitely in need and some of these shelters.” Mrs. Gonzalez said. Mrs. Gonzalez is a sponsor from the 5 Star Canine club, and she cannot stress enough how much these animals would appreciate the support through the donations.
The Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga has been working with Heritage for multiple years now. They have collected donations from them every semester. They receive them from both the 5 Star Canine Club and the Flag Football Team. The Society aims to get pets adopted to families who would love them. They have an array of pets, from dog breeds like Labradoodles and German Shepherds, to cat breeds like Maine Coons and Siamese.
“Well, there’s a grand total of zero pet food cans donated thus far, so we’re hoping to get more than that.” Broome said. He explained how there wasn’t a maximum or a minimum for how much pet food they needed, instead they’re just trying to donate everything they can. Both Broome and Gonzalez are pet lovers, having multiple pets at home, so reaching out to the community like this isn’t uncommon for them.
The shelter emphasizes the need for wet cat food due to a recent influx of kittens. Volunteers are welcome, and there are upcoming events to raise awareness; the Traveling Kitten Circus on August 27th and September 3rd, and Yappy Hour on September 21st. These events aim to help people meet and adopt kittens, supporting the shelter’s mission.
If you do not have the resources to help the shelter out by donating food, here are other things you can do:
- Volunteer at the shelter. Your time and energy would be greatly appreciated at the shelter, especially since it would help you in the long run. Putting these volunteer hours on a resume or college application looks great, and you’re also contributing to your community.
- Spread the word about the shelter. You may not be able to contribute any food, but other pet lovers may be able to. Spreading the word about the shelter and the food drive can help get the word out there, as well as inform others of things they may have not previously known.
- Foster some of the animals. Some of the strays that are at the shelter need a bit more help. For example, a “wobbly kitty” would need more help with feeding and walking, which the shelter can’t always do. Fostering the cat would not only help get the word out there, but it could also help find the kitten a home once it’s done with its foster session.
- Purchase some of the merchandise. The Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga has a website where you can purchase merchandise and get external information. All proceeds from the merchandise go right back into helping the pets out, feeding them and getting the veterinarian help they may need.
- Host a fundraiser. Hosting a fundraiser where all proceeds go to the shelter can help your community become involved. You have to get your fundraiser approved by the organization first, but after that, you have free rein of what to say and do to get people to donate. Whether it be small, like asking people to donate at your local Walmart, or large, like buying a billboard, anything can help the shelter in the end.
- Donating old pet supplies that you may not need anymore. Donating old pet supplies is a small, but effective way to help out the shelter. Not only are you decluttering your home, but you’re also helping pets in need by giving them the supplies. The canines and felines at the shelter may not have toys or blankets to play with, so anything is appreciated by the shelter.
Anyone who may be interested in any of these ideas should visit www.heschatt.org for further information about the shelter. Whatever you do, whether it’s a small $5 donation or a pet food donation, I’m sure it would ulti-MUTT-ly help the shelter in the long run.
