Sisters collect supplies for pets

What started out as a gift swap between sisters has led to a monthlong animal product donation center.

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Kim Gibbons, the sales manager at Best Western in Grovetown, located on Park West Drive off Jimmie Dyess Parkway, started Kibble for Kritters, an animal supply drop-off center that will give the donations to CSRA Happy Tails Rescue of Appling.

Gibbons and her sister, both animal lovers, felt they were getting too old to do the gift exchange for Christmas and decided to donate $10 each to an animal rescue shelter, which sparked Gibbons' idea for the center.

"I have done the Toys for Tots programs before, and that's an established program and everybody does it, but it's time to think of the critters, too," Gibbons said. "There are so many programs for kids already, and with the economy the way it is, I read stories all the time where people are abandoning their pets."

Donations can be made this month in the Best Western lobby. They are taking items such as food, toys and stainless steel pet bowls.

Other items needed are pet shampoo, flea control for large-breed dogs, laundry detergent and bleach, and old towels and blankets for bathing and bedding.

"We're looking forward to more donations. We've barely scratched the surface," Gibbons said.

The donation center is getting more cat supplies, so dog supplies are needed.

Barbara Gleitsmann, with CSRA Happy Trails Rescue, said they are also in need of foster homes for the animals.

"This is a fun, creative idea, and people should get behind this," Gleitsmann said.

For information about the donation center, call (706) 836-2708, or contact Happy Tails at (706) 836-2708.