Santa Claus for Paws animal food drive at Harper College

As part of her work to help the homeless this holiday season, Jennifer Pitek again is asking for donations of canned food - and collars, leashes and chew toys. The beneficiaries of her annual Harper College-based effort, dubbed "Santa Claus for Paws," are the four-legged residents of Illinois animal shelters, and gifts like those help keep them going.

With many shelters strapped for cash amid the downturned economy, Pitek, an administrative secretary in Harper's Center for New Students, says this year's donations are even more important.

"Because of the recession, shelters are finding themselves really in need of basic supplies," Pitek says.

Reports indicate increasing numbers of former homeowners are leaving animals behind as their homes go into foreclosure and money gets tight, putting added pressure on shelters. In addition, fewer families are adopting shelter pets.

Pitek has been heading up Harper's cats and dogs food drive for seven years, inspired after seeing donations from Harper faculty and staff pile up during routine campus drives for the homeless.

"I'm an animal lover," she says, "and I had an understanding of the needs the shelters face."

The effort has yielded good results in previous years, with Harper employees, students and community members stepping up to donate everything from grooming supplies and cat beds to monetary gifts in memory of a beloved pet.

Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 23, and again after Harper's campus reopens on Monday, Jan. 4.

Needed items include dry and canned foods for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies; dog and cat toys; towels and bedding; biscuits and treats; and leashes and collars. Pet supply store gift cards also are welcome.

Donation drop boxes are at the Center for New Students, Room C104 in Building C; the Building A main entrance; the Liberal Arts Office in Building L; the first floor of the Library, Building L; the first floor of Building H; the Math Lab, Room D105 in Building D; and the first floor of Building X in the Avanté Center. All buildings are on Harper's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.