The Animal Protection and Education Charity (A.P.E.) is sponsoring a Giving Tree fundraiser event.

Linn Price with Paton’s APE is asking for businesses and organizations in Greene County to help with their donation effort.  They will provide a Christmas tree with photo ornaments attached of animals that are available for adoption, as well as suggested items needed like cat and dog food to office supplies like envelopes, cotton balls and gas cards to transport the animals.  Price points out that they are looking to expand the fundraiser this year.

“There is always a need for our shelters year round.  One business actually offered to do a Giving Tree for us last year.  It was a veterinary clinic down in Des Moines and we got a lot of good things donated through that business.  We’re hoping to do it more closer to home this year.”

APE is 14-county, a nonprofit organization that provides low cost spay and neuter clinics, handles animal hoarder cases and takes in animals that other shelters can’t that require veterinary care.

“So we’re really trying to target that niche, not the most highly adoptable animals and still give them a chance at a healthy, happy life.”

Linn adds there’s no cost for a business to participate, just providing a four square space for them to drop off a tree.  Call 515-460-7729 for more information or to sign up.