The Idaho Animal Rescue Network is asking the Lewiston community for help after a recent surge of puppies depleted the group’s supplies, officials said in an appeal carried by KLEW TV.

The rescue outlined an urgent list of needs that includes specially formulated milk replacement, puppy-appropriate food, absorbent potty pads, towels, age-appropriate toys and vaccines to protect against common infectious diseases. Food donations can be dropped off at Unit 730-B in the World Finance Office on 21st Street in Lewiston, the organization said.

Volunteers and staff at the largely foster- and volunteer-based operation have been managing increased day-to-day care while working to stretch remaining stockpiles. The group described the situation as a surge that exhausted what it had on hand and urged community members to prioritize the items listed, which address feeding, hygiene and disease prevention for very young animals.

Local animal shelters and rescues typically see puppy increases for several familiar reasons. Seasonal breeding surges can produce litters from unspayed and unneutered community dogs, and pet surrenders occur when owners face financial hardship, housing restrictions or behavior issues. Strays and lost animals that arrive without identification also contribute to sudden intake spikes, the rescue noted when explaining the current pressure on resources.

Those who can help are being asked to bring supplies directly to the World Finance Office drop-off point, Unit 730-B on 21st Street. The rescue said donated vaccines will enable it to hold vaccination clinics quickly, while milk replacement and puppy food will allow caregivers to maintain feeding schedules that are critical for neonatal animals. Towels and potty pads are needed to keep spaces clean and to provide basic hygiene and warmth for the pups.

Beyond material donations, the rescue emphasized that community involvement can take multiple forms. Individuals can volunteer for hands-on animal care, administrative tasks or community outreach, and short-term foster homes can relieve pressure on the network’s limited space. The appeal highlighted volunteering and fostering as effective ways to support intake and socialization while animals await longer-term placement.

Supply and demand for pet adoptions in any community are shaped by broader factors that also affect rescues’ capacity, the organization said. Economic pressures such as the cost of veterinary care and pet supplies, housing restrictions that limit pet ownership, and local preferences for certain breeds or sizes all influence how quickly animals move from rescue into adoptive homes. Demographics and social trends can shift demand and create periods of higher or lower adoption activity.

As donations arrive, staff and volunteers plan to prioritize feeding schedules, vaccination clinics and the creation of safe, clean spaces for the puppies until foster placements or adoptions can be arranged. The Idaho Animal Rescue Network coordinates intake and care from a dispersed foster system and volunteer network rather than a single municipal shelter facility, a structure that allows flexibility but depends heavily on community support when intakes rise unexpectedly.

The group encouraged anyone seeking more information or wanting to coordinate larger donations to consult the original KLEW TV report for contact details and updates. For immediate needs, the rescue reiterated that the specific supplies listed will have the most immediate impact on the health and welfare of the incoming puppies.

Source

Original reporting: KLEW TV.