The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office will soon be collecting donations for animals in need while simultaneously promoting gun safety.

Deputies will accept pet food, toys, leashes, collars, cages and more this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kroger on University Boulevard. All donations will go to the Suffolk Humane Society just in time for their Paws for the Arts Fundraiser this Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn on Constance Road.

Deputies have held an annual collection since 2016, and each year they end up receiving carloads of pet necessities from generous citizens and partners in the community, according to Sheriff E.C. Harris.

“People love their pets, and they love taking care of other pets that have been abandoned,” Harris said.

Deputies will also distribute free firearm safety kits through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock that fits most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns, according to a press release.

Harris said the kits promote safer firearm handling and storage practices to help prevent tragic accidents among children.

“Our young children are very curious when it comes to firearms, but if they have the gun locks on them, they’ll reduce the chance of the firearms discharging,” he said.

Call 514-7840 for more information.