Heritage Veterinary Care holds holiday pet food drive

Heritage Veterinary Care in Hopedale found a way to give back this holiday season by running a pet food drive from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 benefiting the Humane Society and the Harrison County Dog Pound.

Corporate social responsibility marketer Harleigh Schaffer and corporate social responsibility manager Lexi Orr were the masterminds behind the drive. They said they simply wanted to support the community. “Everything’s expensive right now. I just wanted to give back to pets who didn’t have anything for Christmas,” Schaffer said.

The drive brought in an estimated 200 pounds of dog food and 100 pounds of cat food.

Humane Society President Cait Hulihen said the donations would be a great help. “The food donations will help keep our foster animals fed and happy. We also make sure to have extra food available to help if people can’t make ends meet when we have extra on top of our foster needs. The more food donated, the more animals we can help. Heritage Vet holding a food drive has helped us tremendously restock. Every donation makes an impact to our animals, big or small.”

Dog Warden Cindy Yanez explained that the pound is only partially funded by taxes and relies heavily on donations and volunteers. She said the food drive reaches beyond the dogs at the pound. “We use certain brands of food. When other brands are donated, we don’t turn them away. Those donations enable us to help people in the county who are struggling financially to feed their dogs. Sometimes it’s the difference between someone being able to keep their pets and giving them up.”

Schaffer said the clinic would like to continue hosting drives more regularly and hopes to hold another in the spring.

“We appreciate everybody and hope everyone has happy holidays,” Orr said.

Residents can donate to both the Humane Society and the pound year-round. Both organizations can be found on Facebook.

The clinic will host a free pet pictures with Santa event Dec. 20 from 9-11 a.m. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. The first 20 pets will receive an ornament in addition to a photo. All pets are welcome, but the clinic asks that animals remain in carriers or on a leash while waiting their turn.

Heritage Veterinary Care is located at 85491 Miller Station Road, Hopedale.