Special to the Enquirer  

The eighth annual Bank Independent Shelter Share drive Adoption Day event May 21 sponsored more than $3,417 in adoption fees for new pet owners. Morgan County Animal Services processed five approved pet adoptions.  

During the three-weeks-long Shelter Share drive, all locations of the bank served as donation points for pet food and supplies designated to support local animal shelters. Pet Depot stores in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Athens and Huntsville also accepted donations in support of Shelter Share.   

A total of 1,207 pet supply items and $10,900.73 in donations was distributed to partner shelters.  

Bank Independent closed the drive with Adoption Day, sponsoring the adoption application fee for animals adopted from partner shelters. The Bank arranged to pay all fees associated with vetted and approved animal adoptions throughout the day.   

Sponsor shelters approved and finalized 74 successful no-fee adoptions.    

“Our local shelters provide an essential service: caring for abandoned and stray animals throughout the community,” said Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent. “These shelters rely heavily on the support of the community to meet the daily needs of animals in their care. Bank Independent is pleased to be able to provide this much-needed assistance with the generous support of our team members and the community.” 

Every Bank Independent sales office across the seven counties the bank serves accepted donations of pet food, kitty litter, paper towels, nursing bottles, cleaning supplies, first aid items and used blankets, bedding and towels.  

Supplies were delivered to Morgan County Animal Shelter and Decatur Animal Services, as well as the Athens Limestone Animal Shelter, Lawrence County Animal Shelter, Huntsville Animal Shelter, Florence Lauderdale Animal Shelter and Colbert County Animal Control Association. 

The Shelter Share drive, part of Bank Independent’s Helping Hands Initiative, was established in 2014 as a result of bank employees seeing a need and taking action. Over the past eight years Shelter Share has collected and distributed donations for a total impact of $133,688.00 for the benefit of local shelters.