Happy Tails event at Tractor Supply

• Happy Trails

By Mike Elswick
Happy Tails Adoption Center (HTAC) is hosting a pet food drive and dog adoption event Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, at Tractor Supply in Center.

Volunteers from Happy Tails and Center High School National Honor Society students will be accepting donations of pet food, pet related supplies and monetary donations. Individuals with puppy litters and dogs for adoption are also expected to be present.

Saturday hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with volunteers on site noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“The food and supplies will be redistributed to local pet owners to help them cover part of the expenses of pet ownership,” Stephanie Elswick, president said. Happy Tails has partnered with other Shelby County nonprofit organizations, like Community Christian Services in Joaquin, to pass out donations in conjunction
with their food distribution programs, Elswick said.

The distribution partnerships target programs assisting Shelby County elderly and fixed income households where keeping loving pets in their home may be presenting a financial hardship, Elswick said. During the February CCS distribution event more than 60 area households received donations.

"We hope to expand this program in the future as more people step forward to support Happy Tails and our animal welfare programs," Elswick said.

Happy Tails is also hosting a low cost spay and neuter program, Spay It Forward, to ease the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

Happy Tails also hosts pet foster and adoption programs on its Facebook page, Instagram and website, Happytailstexas.org. Happy Tails is a 501©3 nonprofit with the eventual goal of establishing a bricks-and-mortar animal shelter in Shelby County.

“Until then, our volunteers are actively working to make a positive difference in the community with other animal welfare programs,” Elswick said. Anyone interested in supporting Happy Tails, but who may not be able to attend the weekend drives, may mail donations to: Happy Tails, P.O. Box 1049, Center, TX, 75936; or Venmo funds to: HappyTailsTexas.