Photo by Erica Papalia

The Chautauqua County Humane Society’s 15th annual Pennies 4 Paws campaign kicked off Feb. 12 and runs through the end of April.

This campaign benefits the animals at CCHS significantly by providing funds towards their essential care and rehabilitation as they wait to meet their adoptive families. In 2019 over eleven hundred animals found their way home through CCHS services.

Community support also helps keep local animals at home with their loving families. In 2019, CCHS helped over 4,000 animals with a variety of needs including food, shelter, and medical care. CCHS Executive Director Kellie Roberts says “It’s important to support those animals that need just a little boost to stay with the family that they know and love. We would rather have them there, than with us at the shelter.” It is only with your support that CCHS is able meet the cost of these services.

The goal of the Pennies 4 Paws campaign is to collect 1.3 million pennies, or $13,000. Community Relations Director Brian Papalia said “Our hope for Pennies for Paws is that we reach as many people as possible with more than just a request for support, but that we also attract their interest to CCHS so they learn more about our mission and want to become involved to help us accomplish it together.” This year folks are asked to consider donating at Chqhumane.org or creating their own fundraisers on Facebook.

Pennies 4 Paws is sponsored by Happy Hounds Hotel and Day Spa, The Media One Radio Group (SE-93, 101.9 WHUG, 103.1 The Fox, 106.9 Kiss FM, 1240am & 101.3 FM WJTN and 1340am WKSN), The Post-Journal and 2nd Chances Thrift Store. Each week, The Post-Journal each week will highlight animals and services that are counting on support of Pennies 4 Paws.

CCHS encourages schools, social organizations, individuals and businesses to find creative ways to become involved and support the areas animals in need. Collection containers are also available if they are needed by any fundraising group. Although pennies are the most common, CCHS accepts any and all monetary donations. Donations can also be made at Chqhumane.org.

For more information on the Pennies 4 Paws campaign, or to get involved, please visit www.chqhumane.org or contact Community Relations Director, Brian Papalia, at 665-2209 ext. 213 or bpapalia@chqhumane.org.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community.