PADUCAH — There's a new resource in Paducah where community members can help their neighbors in need — a pet blessing box.
Situated at 2235 Dixie Ave., right outside of Free Gospel Church, the box is a place where people can take and leave pet food, treats, and other items, like leashes and collars.
Stephanie Smith, the creator of the Facebook page Citizens Against Animal Abuse, says she helped facilitate the installation because she saw a need in the community.
“We have seen a lot of animals being dumped because people can't feed them,” she said. “I'm not going to let an animal do without.”
In a phone call on Thursday, Smith said her love of animals started from a young age.
“I used to bring animals home all the time. I would get in so much trouble,” she said. “Dogs, cats, rabbits. I didn't care. I was bringing it home trying to nurse it back,” she said.
Now, she says she spends a majority of her time trying to help abused animals in Paducah and beyond.
With community participation, she hopes to one day expand the pet blessing boxes – and partner with veterinarians on spay and neuter programs and medical care. For now, she's doing what she can to help neighbors in need.
Smith asks those who are interested in donating food to donate small bags with barcodes removed. She asks people using the box to only take what they need to help supplies stretch farther.
Smith says she checks the blessing box daily. If a community member needs pet food and there isn't any in the box, she encourages them to message her Facebook page.
