After a community outpouring of support for a fundraiser to help Orange County Animals Services handle overcrowding, a Virginia-based agricultural company also made a big donation.

The GoFundMe reached its $10,000 goal less than a week after the Orange County Animal Services promoted it through a release. But the department received other exciting news for the care of its animals on Monday.

Southern State Cooperative, a farm supply retailer and service cooperative with a store in Carrboro, announced it is donating 7,500 pounds of pet food to Orange County Animal Services. The gift is part of the Puppy Paw Campaign held at Southern States locations, where the company matches the donations of participants. A release said Orange County Animal Services was selected because the department is a long-time customer and because of the good it does for the community.

Director of Orange County Animal Services Bob Maratto shared his gratitude, saying “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Southern States and their customers. This donation is will be essential in helping provide suitable nutrition for the animals in our care. We are beyond grateful.”

Animal Services is experiencing overcrowding and a strain on its resources from housing nearly 80 additional dogs rescued from an animal cruelty case in late 2019. It shared the GoFundMe on January 8 in a release, saying it had entered a partnership with a Cary marketing company to help promote the fundraiser.

Monday’s release said a presentation of the donation is scheduled for Tuesday at the Orange County Animal Services’ center on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.

Photo via Orange County Animal Services.

Related Stories
‹
El Centro Hispano Launches Fundraiser for Victims of Carrboro Apartment Fire
The local nonprofit El Centro Hispano recently launched a fundraiser to aid several Carrboro residents displaced by a recent fire. After a severe fire broke out at the Poplar Place apartment complex early Monday morning, fire officials deemed 20 units in the damaged building uninhabitable. The blaze left 22 residents of the complex, located off […]
Adopt-A-Pet: Ian
Meet Ian! He’s a two-year-old male, black and white domestic shorthair cat. He’s been at the Orange County Animal Shelter since February 6, 2017, and is looking for his forever home. Ian is part of the “Valentine’s Adoption” special, which means you can adopt this sweetie for just $50 during the month of February! Ron […]
Carrboro: Bolin Creek Trail Plan, Curbside Composting, West End Poetry Festival
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, October 9. They discussed the latest on the Bolin Creek Trail Plan, which was a major topic of conversation at this week's meeting of the Carrboro Town Council. Also from the council meeting, more on a proposed curbside composting program from the town, and more. She also previewed upcoming events in the community, including next weekend's West End Poetry Festival and more.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026
This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
Carrboro: Fall Weather and Festival Season, Elections and Interactive Voting Tool, Council Meeting Preview
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, October 2, discussing town news and events. She discussed he successful Carrboro Music Festival and looked ahead to the upcoming West End Poetry Festival. She also discussed the upcoming election and the importance of having a plan for voting, which could include Carrboro's new interactive voting tool. She also previewed the upcoming meeting of the town council set for Tuesday of next week, and more. 
Carrboro's Anderson Park Tennis Courts Closed Until Oct. 12 for Installation of Lights
The Henry Anderson III Park Tennis Courts in Carrboro will be closed until Monday, Oct. 12 for the installation of new light fixtures. The courts are located at 302 North Carolina Highway 54 West outside downtown Carrboro. According to a release from the town, the light installation is “part of a multi-year project to upgrade […]
Carrboro: Good Neighbor Initiative Cookout, Music Fest Weekend, Prep for Voting
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 25, discussing town news and events. She discussed this week's Good Neighbor Initiative Cookout. She previewed the Carrboro Music Festival, which gets started on Saturday and peaks on Sunday. She also discussed the upcoming election and the importance of preparing to vote, and more.
The Morning News: UNC Shooting Verdict, Chapel Hill Restaurant Fire, UNC Football
In today's news: the man accused of murder in a 2023 on-campus shooting is acquitted by reason of insanity.
Fire Breaks Out in Tonya's Café & Bakeshop; Business Closed for 'Foreseeable Future'
An overnight fire at Tonya's Café & Bakeshop in Chapel Hill caused enough interior damage to indefinitely close the business.
Carrboro: Police Chief Retires, Public Works Delays, Meeting Recap
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 18, discussing town news and events. She talked about the announcement of police chief Chris Atack's retirement later this fall. She also discussed some of the challenges facing Carrboro Public Works. She recapped this week's meeting of the Carrboro Town Council from Tuesday, previewed some upcoming events, and more.
›