(KIM BOWERSOX assisted with this story)
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Keller Williams on the Water Realtor Kim Bowersox seeks the Island community’s help in her efforts to assist local shelter dogs.
“I’m currently organizing a collection drive for empty toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and packaged dog treats to support the enrichment program at Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW). These are items most of us would normally recycle or throw away, yet they can serve a powerful purpose. Volunteers place treats inside the rolls and fold the ends to create scent puzzles that mentally stimulate the dogs, relieve anxiety and help burn off excess nervous energy,” Bowersox said.
“Enrichment programs like this make a real difference. Many shelter dogs come from difficult or traumatic situations and are understandably fearful, overstimulated or stressed in the shelter environment. Providing healthy outlets for that energy can help them feel calmer and more balanced, which in turn can make them more approachable and adoptable when potential families come to visit,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox’s collection drive was inspired by a Facebook post by For the Love of Dogs, a volunteer organization that supports Manatee County Animal Welfare.
“They highlighted how simple cardboard rolls can be used as enrichment tools for shelter dogs. That post really stuck with me and motivated me to find a way to involve our Island community,” she said.
“I’m hoping to reach both residents and visitors and encourage them to drop off items they would otherwise discard at several Island collection points. I will be collecting through March 15,” she said.
“This effort is also very personal to me. In December 2023, I adopted a dog from an Orlando shelter after she had spent 87 days there; and there were only three days left before she was scheduled to be euthanized. Now known as Molly, and formerly known as “Jellybean,” she arrived fearful, anxious, underweight at just 44 pounds and unsure of everything around her. The first six months required daily training, structure and patience. Today, she is a healthy 65 pounds, confident, playful and well-adjusted. Seeing firsthand how much work and support it can take for a dog to decompress from a shelter environment is what makes this enrichment program so meaningful to me. Small efforts from the community can truly make a life-changing difference,” Bowersox said.
The current drop-off location for toilet paper, paper towel rolls and dog treats are: The Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria. The drop box is under the stairs by the lost and found; at Holmes Beach City Hall, inside the city hall lobby; and in the lobby of the Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack at 5500 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
Paper rolls can also be dropped off at the Scentral Park dog park in Holmes Beach, but no dog treats should be left there. There are bags hanging in the shelter of the large and small dog park areas.
Here is Kim’s post demonstrating how the donated items are used: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1268497015378134
Here’s the original post from For the Love of Dogs
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=804456309361944&set=a.114301135044135
