Despite her busy college schedule, Shannon Porter has begun fundraising to help homeless animals in Dawson County.

Porter, who started Christmas for Critters when she was 11-years-old, began placing dropboxes for donations around the county last week all to help the animals awaiting their forever homes at the Dawson County Humane Society.

The local nonprofit organization began seven years ago when Porter decided she wanted to help the animals at her local humane society by collecting monetary donations and items the shelter needs throughout the year.

Porter, who graduated from Dawson County High School in May, said that due to her college workload this year will most likely be the end of Christmas for Critters and she wants to see it go out with a bang.

Collections will continue throughout December. Items collected will be donated to Dawson County Humane Society in January.

Christmas for Critters encourages more people who want to sponsor, donate or host a drop box to contact them through their website at www.christmasforcritters.org.

Porter has placed drop boxes to collect donations at locations around Dawson County including Kroger, AML Computer Services, Dawsonville Vet, 1440 Fitness, All Animals Vet, City Liquor, Ingles, Annis Chiropractic, 400 Chevron, Kinetix Gym, Bank of Ozarks and Premium Package Outlet.

Items to donate to the dropboxes include: covered litter boxes, blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, Mr. Clean, kitten milk (dry to be mixed), Purina kitten chow, canned kitten milk, cat food, cat litter, paper towels, wash cloths, leashes, flea treatment, dog and cat shampoo, puppy food, dog food, dog beds, latex medical gloves (small and medium), scrubber sponges, construction garbage bags, powdered laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, cat beds (small, medium and large), used towels, large and small collars and dog and cat toys.