The Gastonia woman has been volunteering with the animal shelter for two years and she’s created a festive way to help the prospective pets at the holidays.
Volunteers are collecting treats and toys through a program they’ve dubbed Operation Christmas Pet.
Modeled after the national initiative Operation Christmas Child, donors can package shoeboxes full of requested goodies and drop them off at the shelter.
McLaurin has created a wish list of items that includes kitty litter and cleaning products, but the treats and toys are the clear hit with the animals.
“The pets really enjoy it, especially treats and toys. That’s something extra that the shelter really doesn’t buy,” she said.
Mutts-in-Rutts
McLaurin said she’s worked with other volunteers to create a Facebook page to promote Operation Christmas Pet. And they’re not the only ones with animals in their hearts during the holiday season.
Members of the Charlotte Dragoneez Sports Bike Club also collect items for the animals at the shelter in Dallas.
Though it was a Charlotte club when it began a decade ago, the club has many members living in Gaston County, including club president Danielle Summerfield.
Her group collects supplies for the animals twice a year, once leading up to Christmas and once in the spring.
The club gathered supplies from collection boxes in Lincoln and Gaston counties and delivered them last Saturday.
“We like to get involved,” Summerfield said. “We do a lot of rides but we do a lot of charity work too.”
The club now has a permanent drop off location at Bow Wow Boutique on New Hope Road.
Volunteers with both collection efforts also spend some of their free time working directly with the animals.
Combined effort
McLaurin and her family have four cats and two dogs.
McLaurin said she’s an animal lover. Volunteering at the shelter nurtures her need to help animals and gives her a little time out of the house.
“I really enjoy doing it,” she said. “It’s something for me to do during the day because I’m a stay-at-home mom otherwise.”
Summerfield and her husband live near the animal shelter and often drop in to walk dogs or do what’s needed.
“We’re over there as much as we can,” she said.
The efforts of the volunteers haven’t gone unnoticed, according to Reggie Horton, administrator for the animal shelter.
“I really can’t say enough about all of our volunteers and rescue groups,” he said. “Not only have the enhanced the quality of life of the animals here, but they’ve also realized an incredible increase in placement rates. It’s been an incredibly rewarding partnership.”
You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.
Gaston County Animal Control wish list
Canned dog and cat food
Treats for dogs and cats
Non-stuffed toys
Pint-sized steel bowls
Washcloths
Dog shampoo
Small liter boxes
Flea spray
Leashes of all sizes
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Towels
Items can be dropped off at Gaston County Animal Control, 220 Leisure Lane, Dallas.
The shelter is also registered at Wal-Mart. Search using Gaston as the first name and Shelter as the last.