Donations will benefit animal rescue

Kim Gibbons and her sister opted out of exchanging Christmas gifts last year in lieu of donating to a local animal shelter.

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That sparked Gibbons' idea for Kibble for Kritters -- a food and supply drive benefiting CSRA Happy Tails.

"It just evolved," said Gibbons, the sales manager at Best Western on Park West Drive near Interstate 20.

For the second year, the hotel lobby is a drop-off location for donations to the shelter.

"It was very successful," Happy Tails co-founder and President Barbara Gleitsmann said of the 2008 collection. "We received two carloads full of supplies and food and toys."

The rescue, based in Appling, is nearing its seventh year in operation and now rescues animals from all over Georgia and South Carolina.

"We are stronger and better than ever," Gleitsmann said. "We have an incredible volunteer base."

The rescue cares for more than 50 dogs and 150 cats in foster homes and has rescued 335 from the Columbia County Animal Care and Control shelter this year.

Through various community events, rescue volunteers found homes for 421 dogs and 156 from January through November.

Donations can be made all month at the Best Western to benefit Happy Tails and at the Baymont Inn & Suites on Riverwatch Parkway near I-20, to benefit the CSRA Humane Society.

The rescue needs dry and canned dog and cat food, toys and stainless steel pet bowls.

"It takes just a little bit of extra energy to donate to the critters," Gibbons said.

"What does it take to throw an extra can of food or an extra roll of paper towels in the (shopping) cart and drop it off?"

Other items needed are crates, collapsible or chain-link pens, cat trees, litter boxes, spot treatment flea control medication, paper towels, trash bags, hand sanitizer, leather and nylon leashes, kitty litter, and dog and cat beds.

Old towels, blankets and comforters are especially useful for bedding and bathing.

"We really can use anything," Gleitsmann said, adding that volunteers are always appreciated. "We are always looking, of course, for foster homes."

The rescue also is accepting monetary donations for supplies or the rescue's newly created building fund.

Monetary donations can be made at www.csrahappytails.com or mailed to CSRA Happy Tails, P.O. Box 211773, Augusta, GA 30917.