Carol Tye of Kalispell is asking the community to donate used blankets and towels to the Flathead County Animal Shelter. The shelter uses the blankets to line kennels during cold weather.

A local woman and a pet supply store are teaming up to keep animals warm this winter.

Tye said she came up with the idea after she spoke with an employee of the animal shelter who told her the shelter needs blankets and towels to put in the trucks the county uses to pick up stray animals.

During business hours, Petco in Kalispell will act as a drop-off center for blankets and towels and will see that they get to the animal shelter.

Blankets and towels don't have to be in perfect condition, but they should be of a size that would fit in a kennel, a shelter employee said. Carpet samples also work, she said.

Blankets also should be machine washable.