Kudos to this community for rallying around the PAWS Wish List Holiday Drive and helping to collect food and other staples for the cats and dogs served by PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap.

I’d like to offer special thanks to Animal Magnetizm Doggie Daycare, Bay Hay & Feed, Fluffy Ruff, and Paws ‘n Fins.

The shaky economy’s effect on people and businesses in our community has been obvious over the past year or so. Unfortunately, less noticeable but no less real is the impact it’s had on our animals.

With many budgets worn razor-thin, more and more pet owners have had trouble keeping and caring for their pets. The choices that they’ve faced have been heartbreaking.

In so many of these cases, PAWS’ help has been a saving grace. Its programs have ensured that food and veterinary care are made available to pets that might otherwise suffer or go without. The donations collected by the 2009 Wish List Drive may fill just a fraction of our community’s total need, but it’s energizing to know that each contribution makes a real difference to people and pets in distress.

Once again, I’d like to offer my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this year’s drive a success. Our area’s animals thank you!

Cindy Jones,

Happy Dogs Pet Services

and a PAWS board member