Food for Furry Friends holiday pet food drive

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates there are about 13,600 independent community shelters nationwide.

Throughout those shelters, the ASPCA estimates 7.6 million companion animals enter each year while only 2.7 shelter animals are adopted. These numbers reinforce that animal shelters are charitable organizations in need of volunteers, donations and loving homes for animals to call theirs.

This winter, Ritzville Grade School students, Lind-Ritzville High School students, community members, and all pet lovers are encouraged to embrace the holiday spirit and give back to their local animal shelter.

The second Food for Furry Friends holiday pet food drive will be conducted to benefit Adams County Pet Rescue (ACPR): Monday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 11, bring donations of bagged or canned dog, cat, or rabbit food to RGS or LRHS.

Or, on Saturday, Dec. 12, bring donations to Gilson Gymnasium to simultaneously support both ACPR and the Broncos Basketball program.

ACPR, based out of Othello, is a nonprofit organization “whose mission is to find loving homes for neglected, abandoned, and abused animals.”

“We work hard to help animals in need,” ACPR’s website reports.

Kyya Grant, a board member for ACPR explained, “We would love [your] help collecting food for our furry friends here at the shelter. This year we are in need of cat food, particularly kitten chow. We also need rabbit chow and even though it’s not food, cat litter.”

“Just to throw this out too,” Grant added, “we are looking for some rabbit hutches.”

All Food for Furry Friends donations will be readily accepted, as it’s supporting a worthy cause. ACPR began in 1997 as Ritzville Pet Rescue as the first of its kind to take in rescues in Adams County.

Through volunteer support and collaboration with local veterinarians, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, and the cities of Lind, Ritzville, Othello and Washtucna, Ritzville Pet Rescue grew and developed, changing its name to Adams County Pet Rescue in 2009.

ACPR’s website explains, “On September 29, 2009 [their] facility was destroyed in a fire. Fortunately, no animals were killed, but Pet Rescue lost over $34,000 in improvements and equipment. Left without a facility of their own, <Adams County> Pet Rescue moved their operation to the Othello City Pound.”

However, “The new television series ‘Animal House’ selected Adams County Pet Rescue to feature in their pilot episode,” their website says. “They helped us complete our shelter and we’re so excited for you to see [the] awesome new place!”

ACPR is passionate about its work: “The dedicated individuals that care for the shelter animals share a love for all creatures and a desire to help. They take in all of Othello’s strays along with abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs, cats, and horses throughout the county. They rehabilitate them as best they can and place them in loving, caring environments.”

Monday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 11, RGS students are competing to see which grade can collect the most donations.

The last day for donations will be Saturday, Dec. 12, at Gilson Gymnasium while Broncos basketball teams face off against Colfax.

The challenge is extended to all community members: everyone is encouraged to show they care this holiday season and donate to help ACPR’s furry friends.