Pet food drive helps local rescue groups
By Staff Reports
Published in News on November 15, 2015 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Nancy Connolly and 4-year-old Laiya are shown with some of the pet food that has been donated to the Ton of Love pet food drive that is being held by Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston through Nov. 20.
Nancy Connolly and her family wouldn't be without their best friends, Laiya and Redding.
The lab/shepherd mix and boxer/rottweiler mix pups are absolutely a part of the family.
But Mrs. Connolly, a local Realtor with Caldwell Banker, Howard, Perry and Walston, knows that there are hundreds of other animals who have not yet found their forever homes.
Both her dogs are rescues.
Redding, in particular, came from a very tough life.
"It took a week to get him to let us pet him," she said.
Mrs. Connolly has been involved with rescue work herself for many, many years. She would like to take more dogs herself, but her city life limits her options.
So, she decided to do the next best thing. She launched a drive to help the rescuers.
Mrs. Connolly knows that the organizations in the community that work to place animals in homes struggle, too. There are expenses -- medical care, food and other supplies.
Her company is collecting food, toys and supplies to donate to local rescue organizations, like Friends of Wayne County Animals, who get pictures of animals waiting for homes at the shelter out to people in the community.
"You would be surprised at how many people see an animal and decide to give it a home," she said.
The efforts of these rescue groups -- and the foster families who offer temporary homes -- are saving lives, Mrs. Connolly added.
"We are trying to save every single pet we possibly can -- cats and dogs -- to keep them from being euthanized," she said.
If rescue groups and foster families have the support they need, they can help more animals.
And that is where local residents come in.
Donations are being accepted right now at the realty company -- Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office is located at 2150 Wayne Memorial Drive.
"We can use anything -- toys, bed, cages, blankets, food, treats," Mrs. Connolly said. "Every little bit helps."
For more information, call 919-778-8001.