Coronavirus: Clark, Champaign animal shelters: ‘We’re still here, we need your help’

Animal shelters in Clark and Champaign counties are closed due to Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but several are in need of financial and other donations to get them through these next few months.

The Clark County SPCA, a nonprofit, has started a fundraiser called “Stepping Up 2020” as a fun way to help raise donations.

“It’s kind of to get people out that are stuck in their homes, don’t have much to do. If they’re out walking their dog, to just use that as a donation,” director Krissi Hawke said.

Some ideas to step up and donate include every mile you walk your dog, every frisbee or tennis ball you toss with your dog, what you would have spent on dinner out, or get your kids involved by collecting all the pennies at home or every time they swing in the back yard.

“It’s a different way for people to still stay involved from a distance and to realize that right now non-profit shelters, all of our normal donations that are coming in have pretty much halted,” she said. “It’s just something to keep us out there in the public’s eye. We’re still here, we need your help.”

About 45 dogs and cats from the shelter are in foster care and most are up for adoption, which is still open by appointment only, Hawke said.

“All of our animals are in foster care, but people can still call to make an appointment to adopt,” Hawke said. “If it’s a match, they can go home. It still has to be a good match for the people’s sake and the animal’s sake.”

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The SPCA runs strictly off donations which includes collection jars placed in public places. Those jars are now empty and T-shirt sales have stopped because businesses are closed, and all fundraisers and off-site events have been canceled, Hawke said.

“Monetary and physical donations have slowed way down, but we still have mouths to feed and cruelty calls to run daily,” she said. “If you are able to help in anyway, we would be very appreciative.”

The shelter is in need of all donations, especially financial, Hawke said.

“We still have salary to pay, utilities to pay each month, vet bills to pay. Aside from that, physical donations,” she said.

You can donate money through the shelter’s Facebook page or products by visiting AmzaonSmile, searching for CCSPCA and selecting from list of needed items. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter, but donors need to call or send message via Facebook in advance.

The Clark County Dog Shelter is also in need of donations, especially cleaning/disinfecting supplies and dog food.

“Donations are gratefully accepted, and can be left by the front door of the shelter,” said Clark County Dog Warden Sandi Click, who is also the shelter’s director. “We also accept cash donations to pay for extra veterinary care needed by some of the dogs, and the little extras that help support them.”

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The shelter is funded by dog license fees, Click said, and along with donations allow the shelter to keep dogs longer than the mandatory hold period.

“A wonderful way to help the strays of Clark County and support the Dog Shelter is to purchase 2020 Dog License,” she said.

There were 22 dogs at the shelter recently and adoptions are being done through the Clark County SPCA.

The Pawsitive Warriors Rescue in New Carlisle made a change to their shelter focus to raise money for a new facility.

“We recently transitioned to foster-based rescue for the spring and summer while we raise funds and eliminate overhead to open a new facility in the fall,” said founder and directer Molly Murray.

The shelter is in need of donations, especially monetary, for the seven dogs plus a litter of puppies in foster care, Murray said.

“We are not funded in any way. We accept monetary donations for assistance with vet bills via cash, check, card, PayPal, Venmo or Facebook. We also accept donations of dog food, treats, cleaning supplies, toys, collars, leashes and more,” she said.

Murray said the shelter is working on some online fundraiser opportunities as their public ones have been postponed.

“We help strays get home, we help with training or other needs such as food assistance to help dogs keep their homes. We have helped with life-saving vet treatment for dogs belonging to community members,” she said. “Everything we do is enabled by monetary donations from the community.”

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To adopt or foster a dog, Murray said, contact the shelter through their Facebook page or visit their website at www.pawsitivewarriorsrescue.org.

The Champaign County Animal Welfare League, also a nonprofit that operates off donations, is doing live feeds on their Facebook to showcase their animals and give the community a chance to interact with them.

“We have 26 dogs with four in foster, five adult cats, five kittens, three fox, two donkeys, two cows, five goats, one sheep, one horse, two guinea pigs and nine rabbits,” Executive Director Tiger Franks said recently.

The shelter is in need of all donations, especially monetary, Franks said.

“Our biggest need would be monetary, we have no money coming in as the clinic was shut down,” he said. “Our bills are still due every month as are everyone’s.”

Franks said their two biggest sources of funds, the Low Cost Clinic and First Fridays Wellness, have been halted, as well as other planned fundraisers.

Material donations from their need list can be given on their website and Amazon Wishlist, as well as monetary donations through their PayPal, Facebook or mail.

“We are currently closed and can only accept donations shipped directly from Amazon, Walmart or monetary donations,” Franks said.

Franks said the shelter is not doing any adoptions or fosters at this time.

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