In The News

“Paws for Hunger,” under which the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley distributes pet food to needy families in cooperation with The Hunger Coalition, needs to double the amount of pet food distributed this year due to a significant increase in demand, shelter officials say.

“The purpose of the program is twofold,” said Jo-Anne Dixon, D.V.M., shelter executive director/medical director. “When people can’t afford to feed their families, they usually cannot afford to feed their pets. The family situation is already stressful, and it can be even harder if children are asked to give up a beloved pet.

“The program helps keep pets in loving homes where they are a significant emotional support, and also helps control the number of animals being surrendered to the shelter simply because families temporarily can’t afford to feed their pet,” she added.

Last year the shelter distributed almost 4,000 pounds of pet food through the Hunger Coalition. The demand for pet food has doubled this year, she said.

Donations of funds for the shelter to purchase pet food may be made to the shelter, P. O. Box 1496, Hailey ID 83333 or through the website,

www.animshelterwrv.org. Unopened and unexpired bags of dog or cat food also are being accepted at the shelter.

The shelter also will hold its annual benefit dinner, auction and raffle July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Trail Creek Pavilion at Sun Valley.

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and spay/neuter services. More than 90 percent of its funding comes from private donations.

In 2009 more than 1,500 animals received services from the shelter. This includes 350 animals that were adopted, 252 lost animals that were reunited with their owners, 255 shelter animals spayed/neutered,  and 387 privately owned animals that were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. On an average day, the shelter cares for 45 dogs and 45 cats.

Additional information on the benefit and other activities is available by calling 208-788-4351 on the Internet at www.animalshelterwrv.org.