Iowa natives hope to help displaced animals.

Iowa natives Suzanne Sprague and her sister Kelly Bolton recently decided to help the furry flood victims who cannot help themselves.

Sprague, of Bremerton, and Bolton, of Lake Stevens, are raising money through their business, Melodies About Me, to support the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Due to the severe flooding in the region, the shelter has taken in hundreds of animals, roughly four times more creatures than they normally house, according to Sprague.

“It’s a lot more animals than they’re used to,” Sprague said.

Sprague and Bolton’s mother, Terry Lage of Marion, Iowa, donated items to the Cedar Valley Humane Society and the facility’s director told her of their great need for assistance. Sprague said her family loves animals and was heartbroken, so they decided to do something.

“Your pet is like another family member. For some people, that’s all they have is their animals,” Sprague said.

Sprague, a former high school science teacher, and Bolton, a former cost analyst at Boeing, created Melodies About Me last year. The business creates and sells personalized children’s songs, complete with a child’s name.

Melodies About Me will donate $5 for every children’s CD sold to the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Iowa.

Sprague said some pet owners may not be able to get their animals back because they are living in apartments or hotels where pets are not allowed.

Sprague said they are not only helping the animals currently housed at the Iowa animal shelter, but the pet owners. Once many flood victims get back on their feet, they will reclaim their pets, according to Sprague, so the monetary and other donations will help care for the animals until they can be reunited with their owners.

“It’s not only the animals we’re helping, it’s the pet owners,” Sprague said.

Sprague said Cedar Valley Humane Society is run completely on donations and now needs equipment, such as cages, and medicine because the flood waters sickened some of the animals.

Sprague and Bolton’s mother was not directly affected by the flooding, but Sprague said they do have friends and other family members who were impacted by the severe weather.

“We know a lot of people who were affected by the floods,” Sprague said. “It’s terrible, it’s so sad.”

Melodies About Me will sell CDs with $5 going to the animal shelter through the end of August. To order a CD from Melodies About Me, visit the Web site at www.melodiesaboutme.com. CDs cost $18 plus shipping and handling.

To learn more or donate directly to the Cedar Valley Humane Society, visit its Web site at www.cvhumane.org.