Animal Care Society, an animal support group in Mathews, had a successful fundraising year in 2023, donating over $22,000 by the end of last year to various animal organizations.

“All these groups are local,” said ACS president Mary Stephens.

The local animal groups ACS donated to last year were the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, Critters 4 U Rescue, Tri-County Pitbull Rescue, Noah’s Ark Animal Rescue, and Positively Precious Adoptions.

“These people do so much good, it’s a real privilege to work with them and help them,” said Stephens.

ACS had a 35 percent increase in funds raised last year, compared to 2022.

“We’re up significantly from what we were,” said Stephens.

ACS is setting its sights higher for this year and is constantly taking in new material donations for The Potpourri Shoppe, located on Main Street across from Mathews Memorial Library, and promoting its mission on social media as much as possible.

“We are trying to build up our Facebook page,” sa...