Donations for the no-kill animal shelter can be brought to DeAnna’s Restaurant, 18 S. Main St., Lambertville.
By: Melissa Kadish
LAMBERTVILLE DeAnna’s Restaurant has launched its annual drive to collect money and pet supplies to help abandoned and abused animals being sheltered by the Hunterdon County SPCA in Milford.
Diana Paterra, the chef and owner of the restaurant on Main Street, said she enjoys hosting the annual drive to benefit the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Ms. Paterra also is one of the shelter’s volunteers.
For the past seven years, Ms. Paterra has been collecting donations around Thanksgiving, but she decided to change the timing of the event this year to summertime when the shelter’s supplies are lowest.
"This is a better time of the year," Ms. Paterra said. "During the holiday season, people are more generous, but in the summer people go on vacations and get distracted. This is the time when the shelter needs supplies most."
Lisa Nichols, Ms. Paterra’s partner, said local people know they can drop donations off at DeAnna’s year-round.
"It’s a safe place to leave a donation," she said. "We have come in and found things on the doorstep waiting for us."
Tee Carlson, executive director of SPCA operations and president of its board, said the owners and patrons of DeAnna’s have been "absolutely wonderful" and a big help to the shelter.
She said the shelter is most in need of cat litter and name-brand cat food, both dry and wet.
"We currently have about 270 cats in the shelter, so cat supplies are needed the most," Ms. Carlson said.
She said the shelter also needs dog food and medication for all of the animals.
"When animals arrive at the shelter, they are not pampered pets," Ms. Carlson said. "They need attention so the more donations, the better."
Other items DeAnna’s is hoping to receive include cleaning supplies, trash bags, dish and laundry soap, washable blankets and towels, cat and dog food, KMS kitten formula, dog toys, bones and biscuits, paper towels, cash donations and safe and loving homes for these animals.
The shelter also has barnyard animals, such as horses, sheep and goats, so sweet feed or chow would be welcome as well.
"The HCSPCA is a no-kill shelter so they have a need for a lot of supplies," Ms. Nichols said.
The shelter includes strays, abandoned and abused animals.
Ms. Carlson said one of the biggest problems is people who fail to spay or neuter their pets.
"There are simply more animals than people to give them homes," she said.
Ms. Nichols added, "People need to understand that when you take on an animal, it is your responsibility for the rest of their lives."
Ms. Paterra and Ms. Nichols said they generally take about four or five truckloads of supplies to the shelter for each drive they have. People also make donations in the form of cash or checks.
Ms. Paterra and Ms. Nichols agree the people in the town are very generous.
"We make it even easier for them by dropping off the supplies ourselves," Ms. Paterra said. "The shelter is in Milford so it is kind of far. By having a local drop-off spot, people are more willing to go out of their way to help."
The two women also help in the shelter as much as they can. They have walked animals and cleaned cages. When they can, they try to get the staff of their restaurant to go and help as well.
Last summer when Ms. Paterra realized how low the shelter was on supplies, she went to people she knew and asked for help. She received 750 pounds of food and a truckload of supplies to donate to the shelter.
Pet supplies can be dropped off at the restaurant at 18 S. Main St. or call Ms. Paterra at 397-8957.
To send a cash donation, mail a check made out to Hunterdon County SPCA at 576 Stamets Road, Milford, 08848.
Ms. Paterra and Ms. Nichols have two dogs and two cats themselves.
"We are very appreciative of all the people who help," Ms. Nichols said.
Ms. Paterra added, "We need help from the people, and they have been great."