The Guilford County Animal Shelter is extremely thankful for the generous area residents who donate items to help the animals, and the shelter currently has a specific list of special needs that will help the most.
Shelter officials say that many individuals, school groups, service groups, birthday parties and so on collect items to donate; however, to best help the animals, the shelter has put out a list of items that constitute its greatest donation needs.
Also, those interested in helping out the shelter should visit its webpage frequently: At certain times of the year, the shelter will put out special pleas for help if its donations get low in specific areas such as crates and bedding, to name two.
Anyway, without further ado, what’s the item the shelter needs the most, all year round?
It’s dog treats.
Especially, “the soft smelly kind that are great for training and enrichment.”
And here are some other top priority items the shelter needs right now …
- New or lightly used blankets or large towels
- Unopened and non-expired canned or dry dog food
- Unopened and not expired cat and dog treats
- New or gently used Harnesses, preferably for large dogs
Donors should keep in mind that there’s also a long list of items that the shelter is unable to accept. Like the list of donated items wanted, this list can also be found at the Animal Shelter’s website. Among the many items that shelter workers can’t accept are any medications, heavily soiled blankets and towels, pillow cases, pillows and sheets, opened or expired dog and cat food and used litter pans or used litter scoops.
And, of course, there’s another item that frequently gets dropped off that the shelter truly does not need: Animal clothing or costumes.
There’s also a right way and wrong way to give. For instance, if you lead a large group that wants to make donation – or a group that would like to run a donation drive to benefit the shelter – you should contact Lisa Lee at llee@guilfordcountync.gov.
You can drop off donations at any time at the shelter’s drop-off box in front of the adoption facility at 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro.
One of the best ways to give is to donate items online and have them shipped directly to the shelter. Just as couples getting married often post a wedding registry online, the shelter has many online lists pointing exactly to the shelter’s needs. Here they are…
Shelter’s Amazon Wish List at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HF1D96OCYXN3?ref_=wl_share
Community Outreach Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3F8ESFA8E63CH?ref_=wl_share
Foster Program Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25XRSLMZJ3MDI?ref_=wl_share
All Pets Considered Wish List
You can also help out by giving to the very important “Have A Heart Cause” – the cause that helps the shelter address heartworms in animals rather than be forced to euthanize them.
Donations to that program can be made at https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/gcas
According to shelter officials, “Guilford County Animal Services does not turn its back to rescuing heartworm-positive dogs, in spite of the high costs to treat this painful yet preventable parasite. At any given time, we care for about 30 heartworm-positive dogs, in which the treatment costs range from $500 – $800 for each dog.”
Money given to the Have a Heart Cause will go directly toward helping and curing dogs in pain from heartworms.
The shelter animals also need a particular kind of comfortable bed. Those can be found and donated at https://shelterbeds.org/donate/386868
And this weekend, there’s a very special annual event that allows people to help out in a direct way: Guilford County Animal Services is hosting its “Must Love Dogs Spring Festival,” which will be held on Sunday, April 14, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.at Northeast Park in Gibsonville. (For GPS purposes, set your smartphone to 4010 High Rock Rd.)
According to county officials, “The festival will host a variety of fun activities for dogs and children, along with vendors selling products and treats for dogs, with proceeds going to GCAS Have-A-Heart program. The initiative helps adopters with the costs associated with treating heartworm positive dogs from the Guilford County Animal Resource Center. Guilford County Animal Services staff will be on hand at the festival to educate dog owners about the risk and prevention of heartworm disease in canines.”
