Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter (FOWAS), an all-volunteer humane organization, has raised $3,550 in donations to help the animals of the Warwick Animal Shelter.

The group of volunteers has been selling masks and other items to support the animals that have been brought into the shelter this year. Many of the animals that have been brought in are older and in poor health. Harrison Ford, a cat that was hit by a car, was left on the road and no one went to claim him. His bills have surpassed $3,600 for veterinary care due to a broken leg and an eye removal.

“Regardless of age, we need to help these animals,” said Ann Corvin, director of the Warwick Animal Shelter. “We owe it to them to get them the treatment they need and eventually up for adoption.”

There has been a rise in older animals this year, with many not up to date on standard health care. According to Corvin, the animals need to go through routine checks at the veterinarian’s office as well as receive vaccines for things like heartworm, or be neutered or spayed.

The income is greatly needed due to the fact that FOWAS has been unable to hold their regularly scheduled fundraisers this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In a Facebook post, the Warwick Animal Shelter said that they have been receiving many phone calls about how the shelter can be supported. They are asking that money be donated rather than spending money on items. The shelter has been dealing with a great deal of veterinary bills and has an overabundance of items, according to their post, and has no need for more items as of right now.

FOWAS will not be having another mask sale until after the New Year, but there are still other ways to donate to the Warwick Animal Shelter.

The address to the shelter is 101 Arthur W Devine Blvd in Warwick. Checks can be mailed to that address and be made out to The Warwick Animal Shelter with reasoning for the check on the memo line. The money sent would go to a special fund that takes care of medical expenses that the animals will have.