The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, the not-for-profit animal welfare group that serves both cities, is asking for donations to replace the washer at its animal hospital after the machine broke down. The SPCA said on Instagram that the old washer was a household machine doing a hospital's job, and it now needs a commercial-grade one that can keep up.

Laundry is part of the daily routine at the Companion Animal Hospital, at 245 Dartnall Road in Hamilton, where volunteer assistants wash and fold it. The SPCA says clean bedding helps protect patients from infection while they recover, and it wants to replace the washer quickly.

The SPCA, which relies largely on donors and volunteers, takes donations through its Give to HBSPCA page. The hospital is also recruiting volunteers for 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.