Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter — UPAWS, for short — is building a new facility along M-553 in Sands Township.

Although construction on the facility is nearing completion, and a capital fundraising campaign has generated about $3 million toward a goal of $3.7 million, facility managers have come to realize they need a little extra help from their friends in the community.

Specifically, they are in need of basic supplies, including but not limited to cleaning equipment, grooming supplies, storage bins and more.

According to a UPAWS press release, people can help by purchasing one or more items; donate by cash, credit card or check to allow UPAWS to purchase the item; or donate gently used items.

Of course, all donations are tax-deductible.

Nearly 1,500 animals come through the open-admission, no-kill UPAWS shelter each year. We recommend readers seriously consider giving them a helping hand.

They provide an essential service. This will help them continue doing that.