Local pet shelters the targets of pet supplies donations at CFCU this month

“At CFCU, we’re passionate about giving back to the communities we serve and that includes the animals who bring so much joy to our lives,” said Lisa Whitaker, President and CEO of CFCU Community Credit Union, whose branches will serve as donation sites for several local pet shelters, including the Dryden Dog Shelter and the SPCA of Tompkins County.

Through the end of February, CFCU says all of their branch locations “will be accepting donations of items such as blankets, laundry detergent, canned dog, cat, and kitten food, leashes, and toys to support local animals in need.” Recipient agencies include the Cortland County SPCA, CNY SPCA, and Finger Lakes SPCA, as well.

A CFCU representative tells 14850 Today that branches will welcome donations of any items specifically requested by the shelters, not just the items listed.

“We always need canned kitten food and dry kitten food, and we’re almost to that time of year,” Lynne Conway, the SPCA of Tompkins County’s director of development, tells 14850 Today. “Kitten season” each spring and summer means hundreds of kittens to feed.

Related: Kitten season leaves local shelters scrambling for supplies and asking for help

Photo courtesy SPCA of Tompkins County.

The SPCA says they always need items like scoopable/clumping cat litter, litter boxes, cat wand toys, kitten nursing bottles and milk replacement (KMR), meat flavored baby food with no onion or garlic, canned dog food, dog toys (no tennis balls), squeeze or spray cheese, Kongs, leashes and harnesses, gallon and sandwich-size Ziploc bags, trash bags, paper plates, liquid laundry detergent, paper towels, bleach, coin wrappers, stamps, and gift cards of any amount to shops like Ithaca Agway, Target, Walmart, PetSmart, Lowe’s, Staples, and Amazon.

The SPCA says people are welcome to drop off any brand of canned kitten food, but they prefer poultry rather than fish or seafood varieties. If you’d like to order online from Amazon, this Fancy Feast canned kitten food is perfect.

In addition to taking care of the animals in their care, the SPCA is able to use donated pet food and supplies to help community members who come to the weekly SPCA Pet Food Pantry, open to all, 10am-11am each Saturday morning, at the intake building next to the main SPCA shelter building on Hanshaw Road.

“Every donation helps us care for the dogs in our shelter and ensures they have what they need while they wait for their forever homes. We’re so grateful for this partnership and the difference it makes for local animals,” said Retta Beardslee, Dog Control Officer for the Town of Dryden and a representative of the Dryden Dog Shelter. 

Donations will be accepted at all CFCU branches in Ithaca, Cortland, Waterloo, and Syracuse, with a list of locations available at mycfcu.com.

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