By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Etowah County Animal Shelter will be hosting a food drive for the
month of July. The shelter will be accepting cat and dog food at four
locations throughout Etowah County. Hokes Bluff Trophy, located at
3739 Alford Bend Road in Hokes Bluff; West Etowah County Water
Authority, located at 596 Gallant Road in Attalla; PetCo, located at
308 East Meighan Boulevard in Gadsden; and the Etowah County
Commission Office inside the Etowah County Courthouse, located at 800
Forrest Avenue in Gadsden will be drop-off locations for the food
drive.
The shelter came up with the food drive idea to help feed the animals
at the shelter.
“Food is our main financial burden,” said Etowah County Animal Shelter
Director Jamie Thompson. “It’s what we spend most of our money on.”
The shelter is currently housing about 170 dogs and cats, many of
these animals are abandoned or surrendered by owners.
Earlier this year, Etowah County Commissioner Joey Statum also
highlighted the responsibility of animal ownership as a problem that
needed to be addressed.
“Most animals left at the shelter are dropped off there,” said Statum.
According to Statum, 68 percent of the animals at the shelter are
given up by their owners.
The shelter is always accepting donations and volunteers.
“Anyone who wants to come out is welcome,” said Thompson. “We have
plenty to do.”
The shelter is also hoping the food drive will bring attention to the
animals they have available for adoption.
“We want people to come out and look at our animals,” said Thompson.
“It’s not about us. It’s about finding these animals a home.”
The Etowah County Animal Shelter, located at 12071 US Hwy 278 East in
Piedmont, does not have adoption fees. When approved for adoption, new
owners must get the animals spayed or neutered and provide a rabies
vaccine. To view animals up for adoptions or get more information,
visit ecanimals.com or the Etowah County Animal Shelter Facebook page.
All monetary donations should be given only to the shelter or
commission office. For more information, call 256-494-5422.