Salt Lake County Animal Services offers a unique Thanksgiving celebration for cats and dogs

Salt Lake City, Utah – As Thanksgiving approaches, many individuals reflect on the various aspects of life for which they are grateful, including friends, family, and even the sport of football.

On Wednesday, the festivities began a bit ahead of schedule for some of our beloved furry companions.

“I believe they will appreciate the food much more than we will,” remarked 14-year-old Micah Llewellyn.

On Wednesday evening, Micah dedicated time to assist in the preparation of a Thanksgiving feast.

Nonetheless, it was not the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing typically found at a Thanksgiving gathering.

“Micah mentioned catnip and tuna, similar to cat wet food.”

On Wednesday, Micah and her family dedicated their time to volunteering at Salt Lake County Animal Services, assisting in feeding the cats available for adoption.

“I appreciate all the cats, and it’s great that you’re assisting them,” Micah remarked.

Ryan DeGrey serves as the Special Program Coordinator for Salt Lake County Animal Services.

DeGrey reported, “This morning, we provided food for 50 dogs and later, in the evening, we fed 47 cats.”

According to him, these Thanksgiving meals began 13 years ago.

“It was one of our staff members who initially proposed the idea one year, and she surprised the rest of the team by arriving with a variety of supplies to prepare the Thanksgiving meal for the dogs first,” DeGrey stated.

A volunteer-driven initiative is currently operating thanks to contributions from donors.

“According to DeGrey, the delivery often stands out as the highlight for volunteers, as they have the opportunity to witness the adorable animal faces and the joy they experience while receiving and enjoying their treats.”

A unique Thanksgiving delivery brought joy and nourishment to numerous cats, leaving them content and well-fed.

“It was truly impressive because I created that, and then you can take a moment to appreciate your own achievement,” said Finn Llewellyn.

DeGrey announced that additional enrichment projects for the dogs and cats are planned for next month in celebration of the holidays.