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Check Meow-t! Parkland Teens Assemble Animal Care Kits for Local Rescue

by Jaime Vining June 22, 2020

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Keely Owen

By Jaime Vining

While COVID-19 continues to rage through Florida, animal shelters and rescue agencies are feeling the strain and facing shortages in both supplies and foster home volunteers.

To help the furry friends, Parkland teen and rising high school senior Keely Owen began collecting pet food and other supplies in early March.

“I have always loved animals, and it is so sad to have to think about suffering animals that are at the shelter and are alone during these hard times,” she explained. “When shelters get filled up, the supplies can get low, which is the main reason why I started this project.”

To date, Owen has assembled about 75 rescue kits, which she donated to Wonder Paws, Saving Sage Animal Rescue, and Everglades Angels Dog Rescue.

“My goal is to make sure that no rescue animals are left starving,” said Owen. “It makes me so happy to know that these animals are going to be fed, happy, and loved.”

If you are interested in contributing, Owen is accepting donations of bags and cans of cat and dog food, blankets or towels, leashes and collars, pet toys and bowls, as well as paper towels or disinfectant wipes. Students will receive two hours of community service for each completed kit through July 1.

For more information, reach out to Owen via email at keelynowen@gmail.com.

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Author Profile

Jaime Vining

Jaime Vining is a Florida native, but recent Parkland transplant. By day, she is a Florida Bar-certified Intellectual Property attorney, adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law and an avid blogger. Prior to earning her law degree, Jaime was a featured journalist for publications like the Orlando Sentinel and aXis Magazine. In 2009, she released a compilation of interviews with musicians under the title Off the Bus and On the Record.
Jaime is also a mom to two little boys and you will regularly find her running early mornings at Pine Trails Park trying to keep up with them.