A Jefferson County animal shelter is asking the community to donate spare blankets and towels to help keep the animals in its care comfortable.

Foothills Animal Shelter, located near Colorado Highway 6 and Interstate 70 in Golden, posted a request on social media Wednesday asking residents to drop off gently used blankets, towels or pet beds as supplies run low.

“We’re completely out of blankets and towels! If you have any pet beds, blankets without stuffing, or towels of any size, we would graciously accept them,” the shelter wrote. “Together, we can ensure that pets have the resources and support they need.”

Spokesperson Tori Seaver told The Denver Gazette that they use towels and blankets to create comfortable beds and lounging areas for animals at the shelter.

The shelter has not run out of blankets and towels, meaning no animals are currently going without. However, supplies are running low. The request is a preemptive effort to ensure every animal continues to have something comfortable to lie on.

“We are constantly doing laundry,” Seaver said. “Just wear and tear, really. We have enough to keep the animals supplied, but as soon as (the blankets) are out of the laundry, they’re going straight into kennels. We don’t have replenishment right now.”

So far, the shelter has received a wide range of donations to support the dogs, cats, chickens, reptiles, guinea pigs and other animals in its care.

The request for help is seeing a strong response through social media, with more than 40 comments on Facebook by Thursday afternoon, with promises to drop off items or order through the shelter’s Amazon wishlist.

While Seaver is unsure of how many items the shelter has received since the call for help, she said it has historically received a great response from the community.

“We rely on these donations to keep our pets cared for,” she said. “We do what we can to support our community, so having the community support us in this way is really wonderful.”

The shelter cannot accept sheets, pillows, mattresses, mattress covers, furniture, or furniture cushions due to safety concerns.

The organization is always looking for donations of food and goods, as well.

The nonprofit shelter opened in 1976, according to the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado. The open-admissions facility cares for around 9,500 orphaned animals annually, with a team of 48 staff and up to 460 volunteers.

In addition to adoptions, the shelter provides affordable animal care services, including spaying and neutering, pet licensing, vaccinations, microchipping and emergency pet boarding in Jefferson County during natural disasters.

Donations can be dropped off at the shed in the back of the shelter — located at 580 McIntyre St. — between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.

More information can be found at foothillsanimalshelter.org/wishlist/