Three weeks ago the shelter's dryer broke, leaving them no way to clean the vast amount of bedding needed for the animals in care.

Volunteer Margaret Rees-Lee said she put a call-out on the Port Fairy community noticeboard asking if anyone had a second-hand machine to donate.

Within 24 hours the community had raised over $1100, more than enough to buy a brand new dryer.

"As you can imagine we go through a lot of washing for bedding for our dogs and cats every day and in the middle of winter we can't dry it without a machine," she said.

"We didn't ask for money on the post, but one chap said he'd donate $100 and within 24 hours we had enough money to buy a brand new one from The Good Guys, who gave us a discount.

"It was amazing, we couldn't believe how much everyone got behind it."

Shelter supervisor Tracey Patterson said the team was "overwhelmed" by the support, particularly in these trying times due to the coronavirus.

"To have people open their wallets and hearts and give so quickly is very humbling," she said.

"The pandemic has had a massive financial impact on the organisation but we're still keeping inspectors on the road and care for animals up to the highest standard.

"We weren't able to hold our Million Paws Walk which is our major fundraiser, so to have people come through and supply a dryer at this time of the year is so overwhelming."

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