Jaynie Carey and her husband, Brad, adopted Ottis from Schuyler County Animal Shelter. Now, she is raising donations for the shelter by offering free haircuts Monday in exchange for supplies or monetary donations to the shelter. 

RUSHVILLE — Jaynie Carey's family recently gained four new members. Now the Schuyler County hairstylist is hoping to give back to the organization that connected her two-legged relatives with their new four-legged family members. 

Carey and her family have adopted four dogs — Tucker, Ottis, Maisie and Mollie — from the Humane Society of Schuyler County's animal shelter.

"It started in 2019, when my sister got her dog," Carey said. 

It spiraled from there, with Carey's parents adopting a dog, her sister adopting a second dog, and Carey and her husband adopting one. 

"They made the process so easy," Carey said of the shelter. "I got Ottis on New Year's Day. He wasn't even posted (as adoptable) yet. They called us and said they thought he would be a good fit for us."

From taking naps with his new family members to playing with his new canine cousins and taking rides on the family ATV, Ottis has fit right in,  Carey said. 

Ottis came to the Carey family after his previous owner left him chained outside, she said, adding that she is thankful to the shelter for helping him escape that situation and uniting him with her. 

"He has a happy home now and we are happy to have been able to get him," Carey said. 

Now, with the love of a couple of good dogs,  Carey wants to use her talents to help the shelter. 

Carey will give free haircuts Monday to those who donate to the shelter. 

"When I became a hairstylist I wanted to find a way to give back to my community," Carey said. "They gave us so much love — and our dogs — that I wanted to give back. I love our local shelter and they do so much for these animals."

Because the organization relies on donations, Carey wanted to help where they needed it most, she said.  

The organization has said it needs scoopable cat litter, paper towels, cat and dog toys, cleaning supplies, Finish dishwasher tablets, bleach, liquid fabric softener, vinegar, small blankets and Hill Science Diet dog and cat food. Any money collected also will go to the shelter. 

Those who would like to make a donation in exchange for a free haircut can visit Penney Cuts Salon at 207 W. Washington St. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. 

Cuts will be available by walk-in only, Carey said.

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree has been a reporter for the Journal-Courier since May 2014. She joined the staff after graduating from Eastern Illinois University. The Cahokia native worked with her school newspaper in various editor roles.