MARANA, Ariz. - The co-founder of a Marana animal shelter is reaching out to the community for help to keep their animals warm.
The Hope Animal Shelter houses both dogs and cats, many of which have health issues.
Susan Sherl, the co-founder of the Hope Animal Shelter, told KGUN9 she started the non-profit more than 10 years ago. A few years after, she bought a property near I-10 and Cortaro Farms Road, which is where she currently runs the shelter.
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For the most part, she said the location has worked well for them. The biggest downside however, has always been they do not have a heating system to use during the winter months, or an air conditioner during the scorching summer.
"On these mornings like today, it's down in the 30's and it gets really cold," said Sherl.
Inside the shelter you'll see blankets sprawled out everywhere. Sherl told KGUN9 that while they are there to comfort the dogs and cats, the purpose of the blankets is to keep the animals warm during cold nights and mornings.
"Even though we don't know for sure if the animals get cold, we're going to assume that they are and we want to keep them warm and healthy and safe," she said.
Along with the blankets, Sherl also placed several space heaters throughout the shelter. Sherl caged the heaters off so animals stay safe but still have access to them to stay warm.
Sherl told KGUN9 she recently reached out to the community on Facebook, asking anyone who had extra space heaters they weren't using or didn't want, to donate them to the shelter.
"One gentleman came by with three heaters and said here this should help," she said.
Sherl said she hopes by this time next year there is some sort of heating system installed to keep all of the dogs and cats staying in the shelter, warm.
She also wants to remind the public all of the animals at the Hope Animal Shelter are up for adoption.
If you'd like to donate to the Hope Animal Shelter, you can reach the shelter by phone at 520-792-9200.
