Washington County and Johnson City Animal Shelter Operations Director Tammy Davis welcomes 45 handcrafted pet beds from Johnson City Senior Services employees Chyrl McLaughlin and J.R. Harrell. PHOTO BY GARY GRAY
By Gary Gray
Johnson City Senior Services recently delivered a total of 65 handcrafted pet beds to the Washington County and Johnson City Animal Shelter and Humane Society of Washington County.
“We had donations of fabric and polyfill, and we just thought we would give back to the community,” said Chyrl McLaughlin, a Senior Services program coordinator. “People called us and asked if we could take these donations. The beds for cats and dogs began as just material and fill. We had about 10 volunteers, and the ones who couldn’t sew stuffed. I think the community really came together and showed they cared.”
Tammy Davis, the animal shelter’s director of operations, said she was contacted and told community members had become aware of the need for new and used bedding. The shelter received 45 brightly colored beds.
“They will be placed in the dog kennels with dogs that will be adopted,” Davis said. “We appreciate them very much. If we have a need for anything, the community always steps up and helps.”
McLaughlin and Senior Services recreation worker John Harrell also delivered 20 beds to Melissa Williams with the Humane Society.
“We get animals quite often on the spur of a moment, and we need things like this to help send to our fosters (adopters),” Williams said. “We get calls from people who have animals they can’t take care of. Our volunteers also spend a lot of time in the Internet. And if possible, we’ll find fosters for pets being given away.”
