Puppy love: Clinton pet middle raises funds for rescue animals
Critters and Co. has offered refuge for 225 animals, together with 97 dogs and puppies.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, two very sleepy puppies calmly entertained babies 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 offered refuge for a complete of 225 animals, together with 97 dogs and puppies.
Behind the lovable and fluffy exterior, nonetheless, lies some darkness. Clancy and Cierra, the 9-week-old mutts that made their debut in Critters and Co. this week, had been discovered on the market exterior of a Walmart in Moses Lake. They had been ill on the time of their discovery by one other animal rescue operation.
Sad beginnings akin to these will not be unusual within the realm of animal rescue. Many puppies have come to South Whidbey from Eastern Washington, the place, in keeping with Wilkie, pet homeowners will not be as vigilant about spaying and neutering their dogs. This has led to an explosion of puppies that desperately want properties, and homeowners who will not be in a position to look after them.
The South Whidbey nonprofit organization is internet hosting its second annual dinner fundraiser, the place attendees can be taught extra about this disaster from one of many audio system with Animal Rescue Friends Society of Grant County, Washington. Attendees may count on to listen to from native animal rescue organizations akin 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 could be bought by calling 360-341-1456. The night features a silent public sale and fare from Ikaika Bistro might be served.
Money raised from the fundraiser will help the rescue’s spay and neuter program and the acquisition of a automobile which can present transportation for animals.
Wilkie’s consideration was dropped at the urgent concern throughout the state when her husband and son had 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 stated of the scenario in Eastern Washington.
In the previous few months Critters and Co. has welcomed a record-breaking variety of pups. And the neighborhood has responded, whether or not by means of adoption or fostering. About 30 completely different folks 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 stated.
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 soak up 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 stated.
Camden Crawford, 3, of Freeland receives a puppy kiss from Cierra on the Critters and Co. Pet Center. (Photo by David Welton)
Raja the free-range tortoise is a beloved and everlasting fixture of Critters and Co. (Photo by David Welton)
Debbie Wilkie with Clancy, a nine-week-old puppy that was present in entrance of a Moses Lake Walmart. (Photo by David Welton)
Within the primary 80 days of 2024, Critters and Co. has rescued 225 animals, together with 97 dogs and puppies and 69 cats and kittens. (Photo by David Welton)
