Every year hundreds of dogs make their way through the Putnam                                    County Animal Relief                                  Center. During their                                  stay, they eat lots of                                food. Lots of food.

That food used to                                     cost the under-funded                              shelter lots of money.                               Until Wal-Mart came to town.

The new Hurricane store has answered a request for dog food donations-by the barrel full. And not just food. Biscuits are included in the deal, making sure Fido has a treat while he is waiting for his new home.

"It makes a huge difference," says PARC Humane Officer Greg Sydenstricker. "These dogs love to eat."

According to Sydenstricker, Wal-Mart allows shelter workers to collect the food in Hurricane each week. They fill up plastic totes which fit in the PARC's truck, then move the food and biscuits into storage barrels. So far, there's only been a need for free dog food because of a good supply of cat food, he says.

The project is the brain-child of volunteer Karen Haynes. She told PutnamLIVE.com that she called Wal-Mart and they jumped on the idea.

"It's really great of them," says Haynes. "They don't have to do this."

PutnamLIVE.com called the store for comment. An assistant manager says, "We usually can't talk to the press. Let's just say we're glad to help."

Meanwhile, Haynes as well as businessman Jeff Barnes are diligently working to raise money to build a new Animal Relief Center. If you'd like to donate to the project, a special bank account has been set up. You can send a check, money order, or bring cash to:

Putnam County Relief Center Fund, C/O First State Bank, 1101 Hospital Drive, Suite 102, Hurricane, WV 25526.