A group of Wareham dog owners is collecting donations for delivery to animal shelters battered by Hurricane Florence in South Carolina.

On Sunday, members of the Wareham Pack Walkers, a group of dogs and their owners who meet once a week for a stroll, collected the first round of donations. Group founder Jen Cipriani said she and others will make the trip to North and South Carolina next weekend with the items.

“Once we’re sure it’s safe to travel there we’ll head down to the hardest hit shelters,” said Cipriani. “There’s so many things they need right now.”

Cipriani noted her group has been communicating with shelter staff to make sure the right items get to the shelters that need them most.

Florence, which hit the coast as a Category 1 hurricane, has dropped a record amount of rain, causing widespread flooding. The storm is responsible for at least 16 deaths so far. Cipriani said animals stranded by the storm are inundating shelters across the region.

Residents interested in donating may drop items off at Wareham Crossing, near Home Goods, on Wednesday from 6:15 to 7 p.m. To have donations picked up, call 508-465-1017.

Many items are needed, including: bottled water, pet food, litter and litter boxes, leashes, collars, flea/tick meds, trash bags, shampoos, gas cards, powdered laundry detergent, crates, disinfectant wipes, bleach, reloadable gift cards, baby food (meat varieties, no jars), blankets, towels, sheets, dog beds and pet toys.