Puppy love: Clinton pet heart raises funds for rescue animals
Critters and Co. has supplied refuge for 225 animals, together with 97 dogs and puppies.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, two very sleepy puppies calmly entertained young children visiting Critters and Co. Pet Center and Rescue.
Since the beginning of 2024, the Clinton-based rescue operation run by Debbie Wilkie and her workers has supplied refuge for a complete of 225 animals, together with 97 dogs and puppies.
Behind the lovable and fluffy exterior, nevertheless, lies some darkness. Clancy and Cierra, the 9-week-old mutts that made their debut in Critters and Co. this week, have been discovered on the market outdoors of a Walmart in Moses Lake. They have been sick on the time of their discovery by one other animal rescue operation.
Sad beginnings comparable to these usually are not unusual within the realm of animal rescue. Many puppies have come to South Whidbey from Eastern Washington, the place, based on Wilkie, pet homeowners usually are not as vigilant about spaying and neutering their dogs. This has led to an explosion of puppies that desperately want houses, and homeowners who usually are not in a position to look after them.
The South Whidbey nonprofit organization is internet hosting its second annual dinner fundraiser, the place attendees can study extra about this disaster from one of many audio system with Animal Rescue Friends Society of Grant County, Washington. Attendees can even anticipate to listen to from native animal rescue organizations comparable to Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary in Clinton and Because We Matter in Anacortes, in addition to Love a Cat Charity, which helps management the expansion of Hawaii’s cat inhabitants.
The fundraiser begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 in Freeland Hall. Tickets cost $75 and might be bought by calling 360-341-1456. The night features a silent public sale and fare from Ikaika Bistro can be served.
Money raised from the fundraiser will assist the rescue’s spay and neuter program and the acquisition of a car which is able to present transportation for animals.
Wilkie’s consideration was delivered to the urgent problem throughout the state when her husband and son have been staying within the Yakima space and noticed feral dogs working round. They introduced one of many dogs home earlier than Wilkie formally began her rescue operation.
“It’s like a Sarah McLachlan commercial, where they’re tied up to little chains and there’s just like pens of puppies,” she mentioned of the state of affairs in Eastern Washington.
In the previous few months Critters and Co. has welcomed a record-breaking variety of pups. And the group has responded, whether or not by way of adoption or fostering. About 30 totally different individuals at present volunteer to foster puppies and kittens.
Adoptions are frequent. Adoption charges embrace up-to-date vaccinations, defleaing, deworming and sterilization. Kittens, cats and dogs cost $150, whereas puppies cost $350. Critters and Co. additionally has a reduction program for senior residents to undertake a senior animal.
“We barely go a day without something getting adopted,” Wilkie mentioned.
Earlier this yr, a pernicious rumor made its rounds on social media that Critters and Co. helps puppy mills. Wilkie swiftly quashed this piece of misinformation by immediately addressing it on the rescue’s Facebook web page. In actuality, Critters and Co. works intently with different rescue operations across the state to absorb animals when wanted.
“We take care of our community first, but if we have the space and the means, we may as well keep helping instead of staying stagnant,” Wilkie mentioned.