Northeast Community Credit Union is showing its “passion for paws and claws” by partnering with the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter to provide for the shelter’s needs through the year.

The credit union recently launched its “Show Your Passion for Paws and Claws” campaign with a $500 donation to the animal shelter. The credit union has also set up donation drop off locations at each of its four branches.

“We are honored to be partnering with the animal shelter,” NECCU CEO Kathy Campbell said. “We always try to be here for them, and someone needs to be the champion for our local animal shelter.”

Campbell presented the $500 donation to ECCAS Director April Jones on Wednesday afternoon. The donation will be used for a microchip scanner and a laminator for the animal shelter. The shelter just recently started microchipping all adopted pets from the ECCAS. The updated reader will help them better scan pets that are brought into the shelter for microchips, Jones said.

The donation is part of NECCU’s community outreach program. Each year, the credit union donates 2 percent of profits back into the community, Campbell said. The credit union also provides all employees with two days of paid leave to allow them to volunteer at the community agency of their choice.

“We are all animal lovers here,” Campbell said. “We are excited to be a part of helping out our animal shelter.”

That contribution will continue with the supply drive for the shelter. Items needed for the shelter include puppy chow, kitten chow, canned cat and dog food, equine pine pellets, leashes, collars, carriers of all sizes, bedding, towels, blankets, toys such Kongs or other “stuffable” toys, empty unwashed peanut butter jars, rawhides and antlers.

Other needs are veterinary supplies such as parvo or distemper vaccines, payments on the shelter’s veterinary account at Robinson Animal Hospital, account No. 22786; office supplies like binder clips, index cards, pens, post-it notes, markers, typing paper and sheet protectors. Cleaning supplies like laundry detergent, bleach, brooms, mops, Fabuloso, Pinesol and Parvocide. A weed-eater and industrial mower are also needed at the shelter.

“This is great,” Jones said. “The more exposure we have, the more eyes will be on the shelter. This is good news for us and animals.”

The shelter will also be partnering with the credit union for events such as off-site adoption events, Jones said.

Participation in the drive is not limited to credit union customers, Campbell said.

“Everyone is welcome to participate,” she said. “Just stop by and drop off your donation.”

Also, NECCU is inviting the public to share pictures of their own furry friends on the credit unionís website. Pictures can be emailed to Kelly Roberts at KellyRoberts@BeMyCU.org along with a name and characteristic of your pet or you may mail or drop the photo or information off at 980 Jason Witten Way.

NECCU locations are the Main Office at 980 Jason Witten Way, Elizabethton; the Johnson City Branch at 313 W. Oakland Avenue; the Elizabethton Branch at 1321 Highway 19E, and the Roan Mountain Branch at 8301 Highway 19E. For more information, call 547-1200.