Pet project: Donations help organizations, animals in need

MOSES LAKE — There likely are a lot of lost and stray dogs and cats in Grant and Adams counties. And there probably are unlucky animals with certain owners, who dumped them or left them behind. Female cats and dogs get pregnant, causing the numbers of kittens and puppies to grow, and some think something needs to be done with them.

Luckily, those animals have a network of people willing to help. The organizations and their volunteers have a network of people donating time and goods.

Annette Hernandez, of a Lost and Found Pets of Grant County social media group, posted some examples of generosity, local and national. She asked a friend to post an appeal for dog food.

“A typical day of collecting our mail at the post office turned into an entire carload of packages from caring people who want to help animals,” Hernandez wrote.

In January, she wrote her son ordered toys for his new dog, and asked if the company donated toys for animals in need. The company does, and sent along a box of toys for her organization, she wrote.

Grant and Adams counties have a number of organizations dedicated to helping animals in need, and they all accept donations.

Carmen Derting operates Hands ’n Paws Animal Assistance, a non-profit organization based in Moses Lake.

“First and foremost, there’s always a great need for foster homes. None of us can have enough foster homes,” Derting said.

Grant County Animal Outreach Director Darrin Hein agreed.

“That’s one thing we really need,” he said.

Hein cited one of GCAO’s recent dogs, a chihuahua that was very frightened and very reserved. The dog went to a foster family and is losing that fear. Foster families help acclimate dogs and cats to new situations and new people, Hein said.

But it does take a certain kind of person, he said, to be able to take care of animals and then give them up.

“The fosters we have are amazing people,” Hein said.

OkanDogs is based in Cashmere and takes animals from throughout Grant, Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties. Owner Tom Short said it, too, is in need of foster families for its animals. Kyya Grant, director of Adams County Pet Rescue in Othello, said it doesn’t send animals to foster families.

Derting said Hands ’n Paws provides all the supplies for its foster families, including food, water and food bowls, a leash, a bed or blanket, toys, cat litter or anything else. Donations of those supplies are accepted at Hands ’n Paws, Derting said.

Short said OkanDogs could always use potty pads. Shay Lutz of GCAO said potty pads come in handy there, too.

Hein said GCAO has had plenty of donations of dog blankets and animal leashes. Food donations are needed, but there are things people need to know before donating dog and cat food.

As any pet owner knows, dogs and cats can end up with an upset stomach, and regularly changing to different kinds of food makes upset tummies more likely, Hein said. Certain brands are preferred, and people can get a list by contacting GCAO at 509-762-9616. If people don’t want to go to the trouble of picking out specific food, the organization does take cash donations, he said.

Grant said Adams County Pet Rescue also needs animal food.

“Canned puppy food is a big one right now,” Grant said.

Many of the puppies that arrive at ACPR are in poor health, so the staff mixes formula with the puppy food to give them a boost, she said.

Many of the dogs and cats that arrive at local animal rescues are sick or have been injured. A dog turned over to GCAO late on a recent Friday night appeared to have a broken leg or hip. Veterinarians at the Pioneer Veterinary Clinic in Moses Lake determined the dog actually had a broken pelvis. It’s being treated, but treatment isn’t cheap.

Derting said Hands ’n Paws takes most of its animals to Moses Lake Veterinary Clinic, Broadway Animal Hospital in Moses Lake and Sagehills Veterinary Services in Othello. She urged people who want to help to consider donating to veterinary clinics that provide emergency animal care for shelter and rescue animals

“Donations to vet clinics always are awesome,” Derting said.

“That’s money well donated,” Hein said.

Most organizations also take monetary donations for their operations. Information about making donations to animal rescue organizations is available on the websites and social media pages of each organization.