Local seven-year-old raises $400 to pay for homeless cats’ veterinary bills

BUCKHANNON – A local seven-year-old raised $400 to give to LUV 4 Animals, a group of volunteers that works to save the lives of cats and dogs housed at the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility.

Mia Park and her mother Kari Park organized a pet photo contest called the ‘Sit, Stay at Home’ pet photo contest. Money Mia raised through the photo contest entry fees will help pay the veterinary bills of cats housed at LUAC.

“It was run on Facebook, it was $5 per photo and we had three divisions,” Kari Park said. “We had out-of-state judges, so it was all very fair and then Mia put all the prize packages together herself – she picked out dog toys, cat toys and she donated three of her crowns to put in the packages.”

They had more than 28 pictures submitted in three categories including: ‘the cutest pet,’ ‘all-dressed-up-and-nowhere-to-go pet’ and ‘the best co-worker pet.’

“She won The Little Miss West Virginia Rhododendron Festival, and part of her prize package is that she gets her entry fee paid to go to the state Little Miss West Virginia Elementary America, so if she wins that one, she goes on to nationals,” Kari Park said. “Part of her application is what you do for community service, so you have to pick something you’re really passionate about, and she has always loved animals.”

Mia said she just wanted to help the animals at the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility.

“I really wanted to help the cats and dogs find their homes,” Mia said.

Kari Park said choosing a community service was easy because Mia naturally loves animals.

“It was actually a no-brainer. I do a lot of community service work, so she’s always seen us being very active with community projects all the time, and she’s grown up on a farm atmosphere, one of her grandparents owned horses, so she just has a passion for animals,” Kari Park said. “That’s how we got suckered into even having a cat at our house.”

Robin Keough, vice president of Luv 4 Animals, said the $400 will specifically go toward helping the cats at the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility.

“We’ve decided since we’ve gotten so many new cats in that we’ll just use it to vet the cats,” Keough said. “Tina Phillips, who is a volunteer, has been really helping a lot with cats and she’s got appointments in February. We’ll get them spayed or if someone comes in from the community that wants to adopt one of these cats, we will pay for the spay or neuter, which the voucher does not cover.”

Mia Park with one of the cats at LUAC who needs a home.

Find Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility online here or follow LUV 4 Animal’s efforts to rescue pets on Facebook here.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Upshur County Courthouse

County approves $11.5-million-dollar budget, which includes several earmarked ARPA-funded projects

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year saw increases in the regional jail bill and increases to PEIA premiums, but commissioners were still able to provide 3 percent raises across elected officials’ departments. Upshur County […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Baseball Bucs improve to 3-0 with 17-7 win over North Marion

TENNERTON – Three games, three 10-run mercy rule victories. The season couldn’t be off to a better start for Buckhannon-Upshur head baseball coach Adam Squires and his Buccaneers after downing the North Marion Huskies by a 17-7 score in five […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Lacrosse Bucs pick up first win defeating St. Albans late, 6-5

ST. ALBANS – The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneer lacrosse team rallied in the second half for a 6-5 victory over the homestanding St. Albans Dragons Thursday night. It was the first victory of the year for the Bucs as they improved to […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Lacrosse Lady Bucs fall in debut to University, 15-7

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team dropped their season opener to University by a 15-7 score Wednesday evening at Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium. Kendall Defibaugh led the Buckhannon-Upshur scoring attack with three goals while Maya Garcia contributed […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Lady Buc netters edged by Minutemaids, 4-3

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc tennis team was oh so close to picking up a home win against the Lewis County Minutemaids in a 4-3 setback Wednesday evening at the West Virginia Wesleyan courts. After doubles action, the Lady […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES