Pet Supply Drive organized by state Sen. Steve Rhoads collects more than 450 pounds for animal rescues

More than 450 pounds of pet supplies were collected during a weeklong community drive organized by state Sen. Steve Rhoads to benefit two Nassau County animal rescue organizations.

Rhoads partnered with PetSmart in Levittown and the Wantagh, North Merrick and Bellmore Memorial Libraries for the Aug. 3 through 10 collection, which brought together residents, local businesses and volunteers to support animals in need.

The drive was spearheaded by Rhoads’ interns, Platonas Demosthenous and Daniel Donahue. Residents donated a variety of supplies, including cat and dog food, toys, blankets, beds, bowls and other pet necessities.

The collected items were donated to the Nassau County SPCA and Last Hope Animal Rescue in Wantagh. The Nassau County SPCA cares for animals rescued from abuse, neglect, cruelty and other dangerous circumstances, while Last Hope works to rescue and rehabilitate stray and abandoned animals.

The donated supplies will help both organizations provide food, comfort and other essential care to animals as they recover and wait to be placed in safe homes.

“Long Islanders have always shown an incredible willingness to come together when there is a neighbor, or in this case, an animal, in need,” Rhoads said. “Collecting more than 450 pounds of supplies is a tremendous reflection of the generosity of our community and will make a real difference for the animals being cared for by the Nassau County SPCA and Last Hope Animal Rescue.”

Rhoads thanked PetSmart Levittown, the three participating libraries, Demosthenous and Donahue, as well as the residents who contributed to the drive. The collection is part of Rhoads’ broader efforts to connect residents with opportunities to support organizations serving the community. For the participating animal organizations, the donations provide practical resources that can be used to care for animals while they await their next chapter.

The drive also showed just how much of a role community organizations can play in supporting local causes. Libraries, businesses, volunteers and residents joined together throughout the week to collect supplies that will ultimately benefit animals across Nassau County.

The more than 450 pounds of donations will now be put to use by the Nassau County SPCA and Last Hope as they continue caring for animals in need.