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Pet Food Drive Will Benefit Tennessee Fire Victims

Neil Mullins
/
Flickr

A Branson animal rescue organization and a couple of performers in that city are working to help people and their pets affected by the fires in Tennessee.

They’re holding a drive to collect dog and cat food along with chew toys and dog bones.  Ashley Hurst, director and founder of Paws and Hands United, a no-kill shelter, along with performers Miles Stewart and Robert Hazlette, hope the donations will help ease the burdens the people of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are carrying.

"You know, there aren't any words because their families are maybe being evacuated, and they're having to worry about their kids and everything, so being able to maybe provide something for their pets is one less thing they have to worry about," she said.

According to Hurst, both of the performers who approached her about doing something to help the fire victims, have connections to Pigeon Forge.  They plan to go back to check on friends and family on December 5th and will take the donations with them, so pet food needs to be dropped off by then.  You can take donations to Branson Pet Hospital, 29 Wintergreen Rd. #A, or you can have them picked up by contacting Paws and Hands United on Facebook.  

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.