This tiny heeler-mix puppy is just one of many helped by A Paw and A Prayer.
This year’s Pet Angel Tree at Applebrook Animal Hospital is asking for anything from paper towels to dog toys to monetary donations to help needy animals this holiday season.Each year that Dr. Kathryn Primm and her staff at Applebrook Animal Hospital pull out the Christmas tree and decorations, they aren’t just doing it for appearance and tradition. Instead of ornaments, the tree is decorated with wish lists for local animal rescue A Paw and A Prayer.
For the past three years, Primm has used the tree to collect resources for the small, no-kill rescue, and this year the tree is also collecting donations for The Alice Fund, a Chattanooga-based foundation which helps alleviate medical expenses for area cats in need and their owners or rescuers.
“The biggest needs for dogs are cleaning supplies and potty pads,” Primm said. “You can imagine that every dog has cleaning needs no matter what. Things like paper towels are always good. Of course, donations to offset the cost of medical for the dogs and cats [are also needed].”
The Ooltewah vet said she was inspired to start the tree several years ago when her family was participating in their annual Salvation Army Angel Tree tradition, through which donors pick a tag containing the wish list and needs of a child in the area.
“I thought that pets needed one too,” she said. “It is a fun way to connect with the pets and highlight their needs.”