Santa Maria Times: Food Drive to Benefit Shelter Animals

Jun 16, 2010

SantaMariaTimes.com – Food drive to benefit shelter animals
by Sam Womack
Posted in Local on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:33 pm

The jangle of a leash clip, the metallic ting of a can top popped off, and the squeak or crinkle of a favorite toy — all have the power to launch your pet into the frenzied throes of joy.

Over the next week, a fundraiser for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society aims at bringing that pure passion to the animals in the local no-kill shelter.

The goal is to fill the Humane Society’s pet food pantry with leashes, collars, toys, food and other items to provide for the growing number of homeless animals in the strained economic environment.

Collection boxes, donated by Meathead Movers, will be available throughout Santa Maria and Orcutt until June 27, at which time volunteers, adoptable animals and Humane Society staff will be at the Crossroads Shopping Center on Bradley Road in Santa Maria from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to celebrate the fundraiser’s success.

As part of the food drive, Merrill Gardens retirement community in Santa Maria has agreed to donate up to $2,000 to the Humane Society, depending on the number of people to attend a scavenger hunt next week.

The event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. June 24 at Merrill Gardens, 1220 N. Suey Road, and attendees are not required to bring anything, organizers said.

The fundraiser is organized by the 2010 Santa Maria Valley Leadership Class, a group of professionals sponsored by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce in the effort of learning more and giving back to the community.

“We are very excited to team up with the Humane Society,” said Kathi Peoples, a 2010 leadership class member. “Our goal is to fill up the pet food pantry, so the Humane Society can continue to do what it does for needy animals.”

Any items donated will be appreciated and used, but the shelter’s wish list includes dog and cat food, rawhide chews, collars, nylon leads, non-clumping cat litter, liquid hand sanitizer, liquid laundry detergent, paper towels, “kiddie” swimming pools, and squeaky toys for dogs.

Pet food brands such as dry Purina Kitten Chow, Friskie’s Classic Pate, Healthwise Dry Adult dog food, Healthwise Active small kibble or Science Diet Adult canned dog food, will be used to feed shelter pets.

All other pet food brands will be given to community members struggling to feed their animals through the Santa Maria Valley’s Humane Society food bank.

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