Carolina Day School Launches Kennel Kindness Program

News Summary

Students from Carolina Day School have initiated the Kennel Kindness Program to support local animal shelters. Spearheaded by senior Zoe Hewitt, the program provides essential supplies for over 400 animals in need. The initiative also addresses the challenges faced by shelters following Hurricane Helene and promotes community involvement through adoption and donation drives.

Asheville, North Carolina — Today, students from Carolina Day School launched a generous initiative called the Kennel Kindness Program to support local animal shelters by providing essential supplies for animals in need. This program was spearheaded by senior Zoe Hewitt, who started the project at just 14 years old with the aim of giving back to animal shelters and improving the lives of pets awaiting adoption.

The Kennel Kindness Program focuses on creating meaningful connections between students and local animal shelters. Students have participated in learning sessions where they’ve crafted blankets, toys, and adoption kits tailored for animals in shelters. These kits have been tested with local foster puppies to ensure they foster positive relationships between animals and potential adopters.

So far, the program has made a remarkable impact, benefiting over 400 dogs. Items produced through the program are not only donated to nearby shelters but have also reached facilities in other states, amplifying its reach and aid for animals in distress.

Many animal shelters, including the Humane Society of Charlotte, are currently facing an influx of needy pets as they assist animals affected by Hurricane Helene. The Humane Society of Charlotte has become a refuge for dogs and cats displaced from Asheville shelters, where the Asheville Humane Society and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue have transported a total of 44 homeless pets to Charlotte. These animals underwent medical and behavioral care after their evacuation.

The Humane Society of Charlotte is addressing their own challenges by offering 50% off adoptions through October 5, in a bid to encourage community support in finding homes for these animals. Donations are actively encouraged for not only the Humane Society of Charlotte but also for the Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and the BISSELL Pet Foundation, which continues its efforts in the ongoing recovery from the storm.

In addition to these initiatives, CMPD Animal Care & Control is coordinating a donation drive for dog and cat food that will run through October 5. Likewise, Iredell County Animal Services is collecting food and supplies aimed at supporting animals in need during this time.

The BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management team has relocated approximately 700 shelter pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While the initial 14-day hold for stray animals entering the shelters was extended due to the disaster response, it has since been adjusted to a seven-day hold. This protocol change underscores the immediate need for adoptions as local shelters witness increased overcrowding.

The community is called upon to consider fostering or adopting pets from these shelters, as overcrowding is a significant issue in light of the recent crisis. Additionally, the ongoing outdoor transport of animals from out-of-state shelters has slowed. Animal shelter workers are receiving necessary support to help manage the trauma associated with their response to this natural disaster, ensuring that the focus remains on animal health and well-being throughout the recovery period.

As two months have passed since Hurricane Helene, the message to the community is clear: the need for assistance and support for pets affected by the disaster remains strong. Every effort counts in providing these animals with the care and love they desperately need.

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Carolina Day School Students Deliver Handmade Gifts
• WCNC: Charlotte Animal Shelters Help Rescue Pets After Helene
• Carolina Journal: Shelter Pets Still in Need of Help Two Months After Helene
• Garden & Gun: How to Help Animal Rescue Efforts After Hurricane Helene
• WRAL: More Than 100 Animals Safely Evacuated from Asheville Humane Society
• Wikipedia: Animal Rescue