By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
KINGSVILLE — It seems like the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League got more tricks than treats this Halloween season, APL board president Diane Carr said.
Even after the success of the annual Boo Wow Walk, which is the shelter’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the day-to-day struggles at the animal shelter not only continue, they are evolving, APL board member Irene “Doc” Fiala said.
“Right now we are dealing with cats with respiratory issues,” she said. “That means that most of them won’t eat their medicine unless it is in canned cat food. We have an absolutely critical shortage of canned cat food.”
Fiala said the shelter will host a reverse trick-or-treat open house Thursday evening for the shelter dogs and cats, where people can bring pet treats, canned food and other goodies for the homeless animals. The shelter staff will provide cookies, brownies and cider and punch for people who come to give treats.
Carr said most people bring dog biscuits and cat treats, but the shelter also needs toilet paper; paper towels, copy paper; laundry detergent, bleach, dish soap, pet toys, cat litter, blankets, towels, rugs; and basic first aid items including peroxide, alcohol and gauze.
The shelter on Green Road will open at 1 p.m. Thursday and remain open an additional two hours until 8 p.m. Baskets will be placed outside of each kennel so the dogs can collect doggie treats and toys.
“But most despirately, we need canned dog and cat food,” Carr said. “The end of the year usually sees an increase in donations, this year those donations will be vital to us.”
“We take care of more than 2,000 animals each year and these basic needs are a considerable part of our yearly budget. Literally thousands of rolls of toilet paper and paper towels are used each year, along with huge amounts of the other items,” she said.
