LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Helping Paws campaign is entering its eighth year after starting with a shocking realization that people were giving up their own food and clothing to their animals.
Angelica Barbosa, a supervisor with Lubbock Animal Services, has seen how the effort to support pet owners has changed their lives. The community took notice and year after year, donations and support poured in.
“We already have people contacting us saying ”hey when are y’all starting helping paws, we want to donate, what are y’all needing, do y’all need food donations, do y’all need money donations to go get the product,” so it’s getting bigger and bigger as the years go by,” Barbosa said.
Lubbock’s Helping Paws campaign enters 8th year supporting pet owners in need(KCBD)
Barbosa said many pet owners often put their animals’ needs over themselves.
“I’ve seen it to where people who have a hat and they will cut little holes in the hat and give it to their dogs so that way their dogs will stay warm,” Barbosa said. “So by donating all those blankets and hats and socks and stuff like that, they’re warm as well as their animals.”
Growing community support
Barbosa said every year there are more people and local organizations who want to get involved with the event.
“They’re constantly saying we love this event, we love when y’all come out here and do this,” Barbosa said. “Even then we have citizens inside the building who are receiving the meals on wheels help and stuff, they always tell us thank you so much, this is going to help me in the long run, I have two dogs that need it the most or I have a cat that needed more cat food and I don’t have to give up my food for my pet,” she said.
Whether it be a small bag of dog food or a pair of socks, Barbosa said any donation no matter the size will go a long way.
Donations are accepted until December 15. Lubbock Animal Services will distribute the donations on December 22.
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