Pet shelters in need of donations

Dennison said many people might think of bringing food. She said the shelter is well stocked on dog and cat chow, but puppy and kitten chow are still needed.

Cat litter also is in high demand.

“We’ve had a ton of kittens throughout the summer, so we’ve really run out of kitty litter,” Dennison said. “We still have kittens rolling through.”

Dennison said the shelter also goes through plenty of cat and dog toys, so donations of those are needed as well.

She said the shelter is full at the moment, and some pets are even out in foster programs.

“We’re completely full with cats, kittens and dogs,” Dennison said. “We stay full every week. As soon as one gets adopted, we go and pull another one.”

Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility Director Jan Cochran said the shelter is always in need of blankets, but warns against bringing comforters because the stuffing can be swallowed.

Cochran said she also welcomes donations of pillowcases and rugs, as well as old cat beds or small dog beds.

“That is stuff we can use going into the fall,” Cochran said.

Summer also can bring fleas, especially at pet shelters. Cochran said flea treatments are also welcome donations. She said she’d even accept the remainder of flea treatments left over from a pet that perhaps has passed away or is no longer in need of the treatments.

Although pet food is often a popular donation to animal shelters, Cochran said she can always use more.

“We go through it so quickly, it’s no big deal (when it’s donated in bulk). We have freezers we store it in,” Cochran said.

She is thankful for any and all donations.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “We see it more toward Thanksgiving and Christmas than we do through the year. We see a lot of donations. I think it’s great they do remember there are animals out there that need things, too.”

Cochran said she also encourages residents to visit the shelter.

“I don’t think people realize just how many animals do come through the shelter,” she said, adding that she estimates there are 75 cats and 29 dogs there currently. “Thirty-two is our capacity with dogs.”

Paws and Claws, the Doddridge County Humane Society, is overrun with cats, Director Melissa Travis said. Although capacity is 25, Travis estimates there are 30 or more cats on site.

“No one is being deprived or anything, but we’re really full on the cats,” Travis said.

Therefore, it’s mostly cat supplies like litter, cat food and kitten food that are needed.

Travis said she also can use donations of bleach.

She said chew bones for dogs are welcome, but not rawhide bones because they’re too dangerous.

Travis said donations can be brought to the shelter, but she has an agreement with Noll’s Feed in West Union so that anyone can purchase supplies there and the them for the shelter to pick up.

Attempts were made to reach shelters in Taylor and Barbour counties, but messages were not immediately returned. However, donation questions can be left with those shelters by phone.

The Taylor County Humane Society can be reached at (304) 265-4215. Animal Friends of Barbour County can be reached at (304) 823-2012.

To talk to Paws and Claws in Doddridge County, call (304) 782-4900. For the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility, located in Buckhannon, call (304) 472-3865. To reach the Humane Society of Harrison County, located on Saltwell Road near Shinnston, call (304) 592-1600.