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Firefighters collecting donations for Parkersburg Humane Society

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg firefighter Adam Delbaugh, from left, Humane Society of Parkersburg kennel tech Sheri Schwartz, holding Fancy Pants; adoption counselor Ashlie Ferrell, holding Martin, a rabbit; manager Amber Dennison, holding Layla; kennel tech Scott Little, holding Luna Moon; and Parkersburg firefighter Brett Ullman pose for a photo outside the HSOP shelter Friday. The Parkersburg Fire Department is holding a pet food and supplies drive for the shelter from Dec. 5-23.

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg city firefighters are teaming up with the Humane Society of Parkersburg to collect food and toys for the animal shelter over the next couple of weeks.

Starting Monday, and running through Dec. 23, people can drop off Purina dog and cat food at any of the six Parkersburg Fire Department stations. Pet toys will also be accepted, along with supplies like paper towels and detergent.

“This is an organization that’s always needing help with either food or hygiene items or toys for the animals,” Fire Chief Jason Matthews said.

In addition, the drive provides an opportunity for members of the public to interact with firefighters in a situation that is not stressful.

“The majority of the time when we deal with the public, it’s an emergency situation,” Matthews said.

It’s a program the department has done in the past but not the last few years.

“We did really well with it, had a lot of donations,” Matthews said.

HSOP manager Amber Dennison said donations are greatly appreciated.

“We couldn’t exist without them, being a nonprofit,” she said.

The shelter only uses Purina dry dog and cat chow, dry adult small bites, kitten chow and Pro Plan puppy food, along with Fancy Feast canned kitten food and Royal Canin baby cat food. However, Dennison said other brands would be accepted for the shelter’s food bank to help people struggling with feeding their pets.

The shelter runs through toys pretty quickly and could also use dog collars, she said.

Matthews said donations can be taken to any of the city’s six fire stations, but he asks that people make sure to give them to a firefighter, rather than just dropping them off. They can ring the bell or knock on the door or call the station before they come.

If they can’t get ahold of anybody, the chief said they should call the main number at 304-424-8470 to find out how soon someone will be back or where else they can take their donation.

The city fire stations and their addresses are:

* Station 1, Municipal Building, Third and Avery streets, 304-424-8471

* Station 2, 16th and Covert streets, 304-424-8472

* Station 3, 13th and Liberty streets, 304-424-8473

* Station 4, West Virginia and Emerson avenues, 304-424-8474

* Station 5, 1715 Blizzard Drive, 304-424-8475

* Station 6, 2311 Camden Ave., 304-424-8476

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