Folks keep asking where Dana Mayer has been and what she has been doing since she left Foothills Humane Society last October.

Dana, along with Emmy Summers, formed Paws, Prayers & Promises, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, for the purpose of helping the animals, and their people, in our community.

Partnering with Yvonne Bebber and Kelly Vinesett of the sparkling P3 Consignments in Landrum, they are raising funds and awareness, collecting and distributing pet food, finding adopters, rescues, and fosters for cats and dogs in need, providing services that others don’t, filling in the gaps, and working with FHS and other organizations whenever needed.

The Po’Kitties TNR program, founded and run by Dana Mayer, has also moved to Paws, Prayers & Promises, and continues to offer free spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, and ear-tip for all free-roaming cats in Polk County and Upper Spartanburg County.

Dana continues her tireless work finding homes for cats and dogs, trapping and transporting cats for the Po’Kitties program, and acting as a resource for any and all animal-related issues. Her problem-solving abilities are put to the test daily as she tries to aid or direct all callers. Although she works with all animals, many people know her as “The Cat Lady” due to her special affinity for the feline population.

Working with seniors to match them with senior cats and dogs, helping those at the end of their lives assure a proper placement for their beloved companion animals, using therapy dogs as reading buddies for local students, delivering pet food to those who cannot get to P3 Consignments to pick some up, helping get routine vet care for those in need, trapping and transporting cats for spay/neuter, keeping up with the website and Facebook page, texting and talking on the phone, and planning fundraisers with P3 Consignments, Dana’s days are packed with helping animals and their people.

Paws, Prayers & Promises is committed to serving the community at no charge. This means that donations are crucial! Each kitten adopted out costs Paws, Prayers & Promises approximately $100 for spay/neuter and shots; each one of our Po’Kitties costs us $50.

From Oct. 1, 2015 when we started to June 27, 2016, we took in 248 Po’Kitties and spayed/neutered them, and rescued and vetted numerous other dogs and cats, totaling 326 animals. In addition, we helped 18 animal owners with vet bills. We don’t count the folks we helped with pet food so the total is far more than the 344 dogs and cats above.

We rely solely on donations, so any funds you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated. P3 Consignments takes upscale clothing, accessories, and household goods, and you can choose for the proceeds to go to Po’Kitties or Paws, Prayers & Promises. Call us if you want to talk about donating larger items, such as a car, a boat, a piano, land, antiques or artwork. We have a specialist who can assist you, and we can also help with estate planning. Dana can always be reached at 828-243-1852. Let us know how we can help.

Paws, Prayers & Promises has two events coming up. First, we will be hosting a Blessing of the Animals in Brookwood Park in Landrum, S.C. on July 29. This event will have vendors and food for sale (which benefits the animals) with a formal Blessing of the Animals at 7 p.m. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and other small animals must be in carriers.

And finally, the Po’Kitties Photo Contest and Gala is back! Each entry photo must be 5×7 and be accompanied by an entry fee and Entry Info Sheet which will be available online at pawsprayersandpromises.org or in person at P3 Consignments.

Entries will be accepted only from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15 with an Entry Info Sheet and the entry fee.

Drop off entries or mail to P3 Consignments, 112 E. Rutherford Street, Landrum, SC 29356. No email entries will be accepted. The big gala will be held on Oct. 15 at the Landrum Depot, 199 North Trade Street, Landrum, S.C. from 5:30-8 p.m. All photos will be displayed beginning at 5:30. There will be food, wine, and a silent auction, and the party is open to the public at no charge. Take your photos and get them in between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15, and bring your friends to the party to view the masterpieces.

-Submitted by Dana Mayer