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POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Animal Shelter kicked off its annual holiday pet drive today. The shelter has donation bins around Pocatello and Chubbuck, but is also accepting donations at the shelter itself.

The goal is to fill the “Kibble Cupboard,” which is available for pet parents to use at no cost. Program Coordinator Sarah Moore said the monthlong drive is all about supporting pets in need this holiday season. She said in years past, they’ve had to set up more tables in the Kibble Cupboard to hold all the donations.

Any pet parents are welcome to take the pet food they need during the shelter’s open hours. If you’re interested in donating to the Pocatello Animal Shelter, Moore told us they accept all kinds of pet food, whether it’s bagged, canned, wet or dry. They also accept open bags of pet food.

The animal shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10am — 5pm and Saturdays 11am — 5pm.

“We really would like to do as much as we can to help those pets stay in their homes with the people that they know and they love. We really don’t want anyone to have to think, ‘I can’t afford pet food. I’m going to surrender my beloved pet,'” said Moore. “And then they’d have to come to the shelter and go through all this stress and change. So by us providing pet food to keep pets in their homes, it keeps them out of the shelter and keeps everyone happy and loved.”

During a season when we’re inspired to give through giving trees and human food drives, the Pocatello Animal Shelter reminds us that pets are in need too.

Drop-off locations:

• Community Animal Hospital, 833 N. 12th Ave.
• Animal Shelter, 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs
• City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue
• Police Department, 911 North 7th Avenue
• Community Recreation Center, 144 Wilson Ave.
• Marshall Public Library, 113 S. Garfield Ave.

Community & Partner Locations:

• Pocatello Pet Lodge, 145 South 3rd Avenue
• Pocatello Pet Lodge Too, 143 South 2nd Avenue
• Shaver’s Pharmacy and Compounding Center, 235 South 4th Ave.
• Tractor Supply Co., 1800 Garrett Way
• Streamline Sports Physical Therapy, 335 E. Lewis St., Suite 10
• Off the Rails Brewing, 228 South Main Street
• PetSmart, 1880 Hurley Dr.
• Atlas Rehabilitation, 4133 N. Garton Ln.
• Alta Animal Hospital, 1601 Bannock Hwy

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Students at Ethel Boyes Elementary are banding together around a Giving Tree to make sure no one is left behind this Christmas.

But they still need the community’s help tracking down some wish tags in a mystery known as the “Case of the Missing Christmas.” 

Seventy-one students at Ethel Boyes are hoping to have their Christmas wishes fulfilled through the Giving Tree.

“The best part about it is that all the little kids who don’t have maybe enough money or don’t have the toys that they want, people can give that to them, and they can have a wonderful Christmas,” said sixth-grader Kyla.

But the students’ efforts to ensure everyone receives a present took an unexpected twist on Tuesday.  

The Scene

Ethel Boyes was a voting location for the Idaho Falls run-off election. 

During the wait to cast ballots, it seems voters took home some tags from the Giving Tree in an effort to help fulfill those Christmas wishes. 

However, they forgot to tell the office who they were and when the gifts would be in.  

“We did have a case of the missing tags,” said School Counselor Shelley McCarney. “We do believe that we had some very kind-hearted Individuals come through our school, and they took a tag without letting us know the number.”

“We really like to know who takes it, just so we make sure those students are 100 percent taken care of and not left behind,” she added.

If you have one of the missing tags or would like to help make a child’s Christmas by becoming a sponsor, you can reach out to Ethel Boyes Elementary at 208-525-7630.

“Our goal is to have all of these kids to get a nice Christmas and to have all the things that they want,” Kyla said.

Five other schools in Idaho Falls School District 91 also have Giving Trees this year — Edgemont, Fox Hollow, Longfellow, Temple View and Theresa Bunker.

To join Santa’s elves and assist kids in your local neighborhood, call the the school’s office for more details.