Warnbro family collects goods for animals

Christmas is the time for giving and Warnbro resident Alex Marie is hard at work putting together hampers to send to animal shelters and rescues this December.

The 24-year-old has been busy collecting donations from friends and family since June and is hoping to have at least 10 hampers full of treats and toys.

Ms Marie said she had been organising charity donations at Christmas for at least four years.

"Every year my mum and I put together some sort hampers and this year we decided to choose cat, dog and wildlife rescues across Perth," she said.

"Last year we put together 16 hampers for struggling families out of our own pocket, which was fantastic, but to make it bigger and better this year we decided to enlist some help."

Ms Marie has worked as a wildlife carer in the past and has cared for and adopted many orphaned and recued animals, including family staffy Honey.

Her mother Lisa said the family had provided a home for at least 25 rescue dogs in the past, and her daughter had a big heart and a soft spot for wildlife.

"She loves animals and people - she started out saving bugs as a small child and has never stopped caring," she said.

Ms Marie said the family hoped to receive as many donations as possible and were looking for volunteers to help with sorting, packaging and delivering the hampers on December 19.

"Donations of any new items including any brand dog or cat food, bird seed, toys, beds, leashes, harnesses, litter trays, worming tablets, food bowls or milk powder would be fantastic and much appreciated to help us reach our goal," she said.

To contact Ms Marie or donate items for the hampers, visit https:// www.facebook.com/events/851809504904215/ or phone 0488 662 007.

HOW YOU CAN HELP *

Any of the following items can be donated:

·Dog food (any brand) - wet and dry

·Cat food (any brand) - wet and dry

·Kitten or puppy foods

·Food bowls

·Kitten and puppy bottles

·Milk powders

·Cat milk

·Bird Seed

·Dog or cat beds

·Dog or cat toys (footballs, tennis balls, Frisbees, rope toys, kongs)

·Shell pools for hot puppies

·Collars

·Leashes

·Harnesses

·Dog coats

·Litter trays, kitty litters

·Dog treats/training treats

·Grooming supplies (brushes, combs, shampoo)

·Worming tablets or flea treatments

·Fleece pouches sewn up for wildlife

·Cat scratch posts

·Hot water bottles and heat pads

·Rat and mouse food and toys

·Rabbit food

·Treat balls

·Bird toys and perches

You can also donate goods for animal carers.

This could include:

·Candles

·Chocolate

·Lollies

·Body and bath items

·Handmade gifts