Weight Pullers collect donations for Animal Control

As part of their effort to make life better for dogs, the Mid-Atlantic Weight Pullers are teaming up with Suffolk Animal Control to collect supplies for homeless and abandoned animals.

The group, which hosts and judges dog weight-pulling events, is holding a supply drive for Animal Control from now until its weight pull events on Jan. 14 and 15 at 9:30 a.m.

Items are being accepted at Epps Farm Supply on Joshua Road, where the pull will be held.

Debbie Lee, an organizer for the Mid-Atlantic Weight Pullers, said she has wanted to team up with Animal Control for a while.

“I’ve been wanting to be linked to getting supplies for them, because I grew up in Suffolk and my mother was involved with Animal Control,” she said. “I wanted to reach out to the public and give them a way to give back without having to go into the pound.”

Lee said she originally wanted to collect money to help Animal Control with its mission, but the city office cannot take monetary donations.

Instead, Animal Control gave the Weight Pullers group a list of things needed to take care of its animals.

Supplies that Animal Control needs include Purina Puppy Chow, any scent of dishwashing liquid, all-purpose cleaners such as Pine-Sol, laundry detergent, bleach, Purina One Lamb and Rice Formula dog food, canned dog food, cat and kitten food, cat litter, Hartz corn cob bedding, batteries, drawstring trash bags, leashes and collars, towels, dog and cat shampoo and Greenies pill pockets.

“I think they need to reach out to the public for help more often,” she said.

Additionally, Lee said, Animal Control officials hope to bring adoptable dogs out to the weight pull.

Fifteen to 20 dogs are expected to show off their strength during the events at the weight pull, she said, noting that weight-pulling is a great way to boost a dog’s confidence and get them in shape.

“It builds a stronger foundation for the job and builds a better muscle mass,” she said. “It’s like doing aerobics for yourself.”

The sport is especially good for dog breeds that have bad reputations, because it gives them a job and a way to burn energy.

All breeds are accepted at the weight pull. There’s a $15 entry fee for the first dog and a $10 fee for any additional dogs.

Lee said she hopes people come out to support the dogs pulling, as well as the dogs (and cats) at Animal Control.

“My main goal is to get people out there help their pets and support the pound,” she said. “Most people are maxed out in the animals we can rescue, but there are other ways we can help.”