Animal shelter seeks food donations, adoption sponsors

In this 2017 file photo, Shadow, a male domestic shorthair cat, awaits adoption at Texarkana's Animal Care and Adoption Center.
In this 2017 file photo, Shadow, a male domestic shorthair cat, awaits adoption at Texarkana's Animal Care and Adoption Center.

TEXARKANA, Ark. - The Animal Care and Adoption Center needs donations of dog and cat food, as well as sponsors for this summer's annual Clear the Shelters drive.

The most urgent need is for Purina Dog Chow, Puppy Chow, Cat Chow and especially Kitten Chow, shelter Director Kayla Tucker said Thursday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed pet adoptions, increasing the need for food in the shelter, she said.

Donors can drop off food at the door of the shelter, 203 Harrison St., and can call ahead if they need help with unloading.

Sponsors for Clear the Shelters, an annual adoption drive organized by the NBC and Telemundo television networks, are also needed.

Sponsors will fund shelter animals' spaying or neutering, microchipping and rabies vaccination, leaving only the normal adoption fee - $40 for dogs and $20 for cats - for adopters to pay.

The cost of sponsoring an animal ranges from $106 to $150, and both individuals and businesses are invited to participate.

Clear the Shelters normally takes place in August, but organizers have not yet scheduled a date for this year's event.

For more information, call the Animal Care and Adoption Center at 870-773-6388.

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