Valley City pet supply drive fills loader, finds homes for animals

Contributed By Matthew Freeman Today at 7:30 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? VALLEY CITY, N.D. — A pet supply drive in Valley City doubled as a chance to meet animals up for adoption. This loader usually hauls dirt. On Saturday, Nov. 7, people were filling a loader with pet supplies at Handy Home and Hardware to support Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals. ADVERTISEMENT "I think it's just such a huge thing, people can't miss it," said Joel Gortmaker, Handy Home & Hardware general manager. Hi-Lane Excavation owner Brandon Compson helped put the drive together. His family has taken shelter dogs and cats for years. "I guess the community has done a lot for me and my business, so I figured let's give back," Compson said. His company matched cash donations dollar for dollar. "We don't want fostering to be a financial burden for our foster parents, so our rescue provides all the supplies that they will need in caring for an animal," said Lisa Neurauter, Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals board member. The rescue has about 35 to 40 animals that need homes. It brought about 20 to the hardware store Saturday. One of them was a dog named Peaches. She grabbed the attention of Ross Powell, who adopted her at the event. Matthew Freeman / WDAY "We had two dogs that passed away a couple years ago, and we have one at home. We have a couple cats, so we love animals. But more importantly, she caught our eye, and I want her," Powell said. ADVERTISEMENT All that went into a bucket will end up in food bowls, litter boxes and pet beds. It will help Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals care for dogs and cats while they wait for a home. Donations during the event surpassed $1,300. Hi-Lane Excavation's Compson owner agreed to match every dollar, even after donations exceeded his original $1,000 pledge. Also, eight animals in total were adopted during the event: five cats and three dogs. To donate supplies to Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals, the rescue shares what it needs in its Wishlist Wednesday posts on its Facebook page . READ MORE FROM matthew freeman Mac and cheese cook-off raises money for United Way 2h ago North Dakota veteran receives car ahead of Veterans Day 2h ago Doctors explains when pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding should be checked 4d ago Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags VALLEY CITY PETS By Matthew Freeman Matthew Freeman has been a reporter for WDAY since 2026. He is a graduate of Dan Patrick's School for Sports Broadcasting at Full Sail University. He is from Panama City Beach, FL. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next North Dakota US senators question North Dakota judge pick on experience, 2020 election, Jan. 6 2h ago · By Jack Dura / North Dakota Monitor North Dakota Federal agent shoots man on North Dakota tribal land, FBI says 6h ago · By Staff reports North Dakota North Dakota land trusts to produce record distribution to schools, universities 9h ago · By Jacob Orledge / North Dakota Monitor ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Men's Sports McFeely: Hawaii, somehow, blocks out distractions in paradise 2h ago · By Mike McFeely Business New Fargo coffee shop will feature viral fruit dessert and Vietnamese coffee 13h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Moorhead Moorhead City Council signs off on plan to sell River View Heights 23h ago · By Ingrid Harbo College Matthew Donovan moves into larger room, has upcoming CT scan, father says 13h ago · By Forum staff