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A friendly dog from the Putnam County Animal Control Department hugs sheriff’s office Deputy Nick Zagami during an adoption event Saturday. -
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nathaniel Veresh smiles with a furry friend from the county’s Animal Control Department on Saturday during an adoption event. -
Positively Putnam FL
Putnam County residents – choose your fighter.
This week marked the start of a friendly competition between the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Putnam County Fire Rescue to help local furry friends this holiday season.
First responders started the Dog Food, Cat Food & Blanket Challenge on Tuesday to see which organization could raise the most donations for the county’s Animal Control Department by the end of November.
“We’re inviting the community to support their favorite agency,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Allison Waters-Merritt said.
She said the animal control facility, 174 County Landfill Road in Palatka, has been housing animals at full capacity since August. As temperatures start dropping, first responders want to ensure these “fur-babies” have enough warmth and some extra love.
The sheriff’s office said the emergency organizations are looking for new fleece blankets and various types and brands of unopened dog and cat food.
Residents can drop off donations on behalf of fire rescue or the sheriff’s office at locations throughout the county.
Fire rescue Battalion Chief Tina Hitchcock said it doesn’t matter who wins.
“We’re all animal-lovers,” she said. “If the firemen can help, we want to help.”
Sheriff’s Office deputies, however, might be taking the friendly challenge a bit more seriously.
Agency officials posted to social media saying they will be the office to win the challenge and claimed the sheriff’s office landed the first donations.
Deputy James Sharp, who works in the K-9 unit, grabbed some dog food and blankets Tuesday to get the competition ball rolling.
In a social media post, the sheriff’s office suggested the Dollar General on Reid Street in Palatka or Walmart as starting points to find food and blankets without breaking the bank.
First responders are accepting donations through Nov. 30. Throughout the competition, both agencies will be posting photos of first responders with “some furry friends who are looking for a fur-ever home,” the sheriff’s office said on social media.
And the agency clarified, “Disclaimer: We are not looking to rehome any first responders!”
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