The Kindness of Strangers

a small part of the supplies donated

It’s been almost two months since the storms of late April that caused so much damage and loss of life in our area. Immediately after the storms passed, there were a group of people that stepped up to the plate and helped out local pets and their owners in different ways. Their kindness deserves some recognition, and I’d like to thank them publicly in this blog.

Right after the storms, we got busy fast. We took in a lot of boarders from storm-damaged homes and a few animals that had become injured by falling trees and flying objects. It was clients, not us, who came up with the idea of collecting supplies to send to harder-hit areas.  Good hearted people saw a way to contribute, and they made a difference. We had a few people come in within a day or two of the storm, but when we put a notice about being a collection point on the sign outside the clinic, the rate of donations really picked up.

The first things to come in were the basics- lots of food, cat litter, some water- all the things you would expect. Before it was over, I would guess that we took in about a thousand pounds of pet food. We also got a significant amount of treats, toys, carriers, and other sundry items as well.  We sent it to a few different places. The majority of what was donated went to the Shoal Creek area via the Animal Shelter of Pell City and St. Clair County Animal Control. Some of the supplies went to Pleasant Grove via a buddy of mine who was doing work there at a distribution center.

Other clients knew that there would be needs outside the norm, and wanted to find a way to supply those as well. They asked if we would accept cash to help any animals that needed it. We established a benevolence fund with the money.

The very next day, a sick dog came in from the Shoal Creek area. He needed care, and his owner was trying to get back on his feet- his house had been destroyed, and he had been able to salvage very little. The money donated to the benevolence fund made it possible to get treatment underway for the medical issues the pup had and the surgery he needed. Serendipity is a wonderful thing- the solution arrived at the clinic before the problem did.

So, to everybody who made a contribution- Thank you, on behalf of everyone helped out by what you gave. You made some dark days a little bit brighter.

-RAB