EVERGREEN PARK, IL – A recent pet food drive organized by Amy Kazin, Evergreen Park Community High School’s director of activities and arts, helped support dogs and cats displaced after a dryer fire broke out at the PAWS Animal Shelter in Tinley Park last month.
EPCHS students and their families brought in more than 150 pounds of dog food and more than 100 pounds of cat food, according to the shelter. The food donations are enough to feed over 30 animals.
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Sisters Hannah and Nolan Rahm are EP music alums and have been involved with PAWS for years, Kazin said. That connection is why the callout for donations is necessary.
EPCHS students collected enough food to feed the relocated pets for a week.
“I am an animal lover, and I know firsthand the important work PAWS does to help foster animals return to health and find them loving forever homes,” Kazin said. “They rely heavily on donations to carry out their work, and a fire like this could shut them down for good.”
Donations from the EPCHS community also included treats, blankets and more than 100 toys to entertain the animals, the shelter said.
One beneficiary is Diego, an 8-week-old Cane Corso and dogo Argentinean mix. Already at 15 pounds, Diego is an owner surrender who literally pulls PAWS as the fire trucks leave on the day of a dryer fire. Diego is currently being cared for.
“It’s great to see the public respond so generously so PAWS can continue its mission, and I’m glad EP can lend a helping hand,” Kazin said.
