Over the next couple of weeks, University of Alabama students will not only have the chance to donate to Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, but also to Spot and Fido.
The University of Alabama’s First Scholars Program is sponsoring an Animal Supply Drive for the Alabama Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at the Ferguson Center.
Jessica Franks, the coordinator of the First Scholars Program, said supplies can be brought to the Ferguson Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in addition to the following Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the same time.
Supplies needed include dog and cat food, cat litter, flea preventatives, treats, collars, shampoo, toys, paper towels and blankets.
“It’s giving something that they can’t provide for themselves,” Amber Abbott, a sophomore majoring in early childhood and special education, said.
In addition to the Ferguson Center, there will also be drop-off boxes located inside Manly Hall, Lloyd Hall, Shelby Hall, Farrah Hall, Gallalee Hall, Moody Music Building, Garland Hall and Gordon Palmer Hall, Franks said.
In previous years, the First Scholars program has helped ALSPCA wash and watch over the dogs, Kymberlee Sherrell, a sophomore majoring in communicative disorders and Spanish, said. However, this year is the first time the group has held a supply drive for the ALSPCA.
Ashley Smith, a sophomore majoring in secondary education in mathematics, said the program’s sophomores organized the event.
“For a couple of weeks some of the scholars worked nonstop getting the word out about the supply drive and making sure everything else is in place,” Smith said.
Erica Lewis, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, said she absolutely loves getting involved with local organizations like the ALSPCA, and her involvement in the First Scholars program has only served to strengthen that.
“My involvement with the First Scholars has not changed my perspective on community service; it has supported and given confirmation that my view of giving back to the community and helping others is important and will always be important,” Lewis said.
Sherrell said although she was involved in community service during high school, the First Scholars program has given her more of an opportunity to serve in the Tuscaloosa area. She enjoys helping local organizations because the supplies are being used in the area and it gives her a personal connection to the community.
“Others should get involved because animals obviously only rely on people to help them, so the more supplies we get, the better off the animals are,” Smith said.
The ALSPCA offers various education and pet rescue programs, in addition to pet microchips for $25. For more information about the ALSPCA, go to http://alabamaspca.org/.
To schedule a faculty or a large donation pickup, email Franks at [email protected].
