The group Mendo Shelter Pets is hosting a donation drive Saturday for people affected by the Pawnee Fire in Lake County this week, imparting a lot of the lessons learned in the aftermath of the Mendocino County fires last fall.
“A lot of people leave their houses with their pets, then realize afterward they don’t have food, or even collars and leashes for their dogs,” said Alana Hastings of Mendo Shelter Pets, explaining that she and other volunteers will be at the Mendocino Barkery in downtown Ukiah Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. collecting pet food and accessories for cats and dogs.
“We are asking for high-quality, preferably grain-free, food for cats and dogs, as well as leashes, collars and large crates,” said Hastings, adding that Blue Ribbon Pets, a grooming and boarding business in Ukiah, will be delivering the donations to animal shelters in Lake County after the event.
Hastings said Blue Ribbon is also marking its 25th anniversary this year, and to celebrate the business will be matching any monetary donations of $500 or more.
“We found that after the fires in Mendocino County, months later, fire survivors will suddenly have a vet visit they can’t pay for, or can’t buy more food for their dog because they just bought new clothes for their kid,” she said, explaining that the money donated will be given to local animal hospitals to help pay for vet visits, though how much money will be available and at which hospitals is yet to be determined.
Also on Saturday, Hastings said the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County, located in Redwood Valley, will bring dogs that are available for adoption, including an adorable crop of puppies.
The Mendocino Barkery is no longer in The Ukiah Valley Conference Center, but is located nearby at 207 W. Stephenson St., across South School Street from Round Table Pizza.
