Augusta University students help collect donations for pets and people

Pawprints Foundation, a nonprofit group that collects donations for multiple local pet rescues, will be holding a drive from June 1-6 at Wild Birds Unlimited to gather food for pets as well as canned goods and non-perishable food for those in need.

The event, sponsored by students of Augusta University’s Department of Physical Therapy and Medical College of Georgia, will collect donations of pet food, treats, bedding, towels, toys, etc., as well as canned food that will be donated to Columbia County Cares Food Pantry.

Nancy McNair, M.D., one of the founders of Pawprints Foundation, said they usually have yard sales and food drives in the spring and fall, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, the spring event was canceled in April.

“Pawprints Foundation was started over 10 years ago by a group of friends with long-hour jobs and way too many rescue pets of our own. We were looking for ways to help the local rescue groups, and decided that we could do so by collecting food for the rescued pets and raising funds for vetting, etc.,” said McNair, retired chief of neurology at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and assistant clinical professor at MCG. “The number of groups has grown to around 20 and we have also recently had more requests to help individuals who have lost their jobs and are unable to purchase pet food.

“The public adoption days at the pet stores have been canceled, yet the rescue groups are taking in more and more animals and have more mouths to feed these days.”

Among those volunteering during the event will be students in the AU Physical Therapy department, including Aubrey Blackstock.

“When PT students come to AU, we sign up to make Augusta our home for the next three years. My classmates and I love getting out to serve our community and we are so excited to be able to volunteer with the Pawprints Foundation,” said Blackstock, who is McNair’s niece.

“We know that there are many people and pets in need during these crazy times. We are thankful this opportunity allows us to get back out in the community while maintaining social distance and keeping everyone involved safe. I am so incredibly proud of my classmates and their passion for serving others and their dedication to our community.”

The event will have bins available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 1 through Saturday, June 6 at Wild Birds Unlimited, 3830 Washington Road in Martinez.

For more information, visit the Pawprints Foundation Facebook page.