Thomasville Humane has launched a holiday giving campaign to collect supplies for homeless dogs and cats in Thomasville, Georgia, running now through Jan. 5.

The campaign pairs the shelter with the Whiddon family and a themed collection vehicle — dubbed “Cousin Eddie’s RV” — to encourage residents to donate items that will be delivered to animals in the community. Organizers said the visual display, inspired by National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, is intended to be both attention-grabbing and convenient for donors.

Donations can be left at the Whiddon family’s drop-off location at 105 Nottingham Drive in Thomasville. “We rely solely on donations from our community to keep everything up and running,” said Saylor Spires, engagement director at Thomasville Humane, underscoring the shelter’s dependence on local support for daily operations and animal care. What drives people to donate to animal welfare organizations

Thomasville Humane is coordinating campaign logistics: the RV will serve as an on-site collection point and seasonal centerpiece, and volunteers and staff from the shelter will sort and distribute donated items to animals in their care. Organizers said the display aims to draw attention to shelter needs and make giving visible to passersby, while streamlining drop-off for residents who want to help.

Officials identified a range of items the shelter needs most during holiday drives. The most-requested supplies include unopened and unexpired pet food and treats, towels and blankets, cleaning products such as bleach and paper towels, pet crates and carriers, collars and leashes, and comfort items for animals awaiting adoption. Four items you might be able to donate to an animal shelter or rescue was cited by organizers as a helpful reference for donors deciding what to bring.

Donation drives have a measurable positive effect on community animal welfare, shelter leaders said. When shelters receive donations—whether monetary or in-kind—they can reduce operational costs and redirect more resources toward critical services. That can enable expanded medical care, vaccinations, spay/neuter services and adoption programming, officials said, which in turn improves outcomes for homeless animals.

Thomasville Humane also noted seasonal pressure on shelter resources. “We do typically see an increase around this time of year of our animals coming in,” Spires said, pointing to higher intake during the holidays. The timing of the drive is intentional: community contributions help shelters meet elevated demand and prepare animals for adoption. Home for the Holidays: Adoption Trends for Dogs During the Holiday …

Organizers pointed to broader adoption trends that coincide with the holiday period. According to Shelter Animals Count, dog adoption rates reach approximately 55% in the fourth quarter of the year, and adoption activity rises by an average of 27% between December and January. Those trends reinforce organizers’ view that increased community support during the holidays can translate into faster placement of animals into homes.

The campaign is running through Jan. 5, and Thomasville Humane encourages residents to drop off supplies at 105 Nottingham Drive. Volunteers will collect and process donations for distribution to animals currently in the shelter’s care and for ongoing operations. The Whiddon family’s RV, with its holiday-themed display, will remain on site to make contributions visible and accessible during the drive.

Local residents interested in helping are asked to bring items that support daily care and shelter operations throughout the year. Organizers said even small donations can reduce expenses for the shelter and free up funds for medical and adoption services, making a direct impact on the welfare of homeless pets in the Thomasville community.

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