Animal Friends seeking toys for military dogs

Animal Friends is seeking donated toys — anything from tennis balls to tug toys — to send to military dogs overseas, officials said Tuesday.

The toy drive, organized by Operation Troop Appreciation, runs through Thursday. Donors can buy toys and drop them off at the Ohio Township shelter or buy care packages at Animal Friends' gift shop.

“They need some down time, too, just to let them be dogs,” said Shannon Tremblay, Animal Friends' director of communications. “We're thrilled to be a part of this.”

Tremblay said the drive is a way of Animal Friends getting back to its roots.

Founded in 1943, Animal Friends took in pets of soldiers shipped overseas during World War II. The shelter operated out of the basement of the William Penn Hotel, Downtown. After moving to the Strip District, Animal Friends relocated in 2006 to its facility in Ohio Township, which includes a resource center offering pet training classes, adoptions and medical care, and other services.

All types of dog toys are welcome, Tremblay said. Care packages run from $5 to $50. Single toys can also be bought and donated on site.

“We have squeaky stuffed toys, tennis balls, puzzle games, Kongs, tug ropes, Frisbees, rubber toys,” Tremblay said. “Just about anything you can think of.”

Chris Togneri is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-380-5632 or ctogneri@tribweb.com.