While exact figures are hard to figure, volunteers play a critical role in the operation and success of animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout the U.S. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of volunteers dedicate their time and effort to animal shelters across the nation, including the McDonough County Animal Shelter.
A team of dog walkers, approximately six regulars during the week, with another group of volunteers during the weekends, show up without fail to ensure the local shelters pooches get a daily walk or two, socialization, and lots of attention. According to Bonnie Smith-Skripps, president of the Humane Society of McDonough County, besides walking the dogs around the shelter, some volunteers take the pups out and about for a change of scenery. They help bathe dogs, play fetch and accompany them to community events, and the dedicated helpers also work with students who come to the shelter for volunteer initiatives.
And it’s not just the canines that get personalized attention. The shelter’s feline friends get to see around four regular volunteers who come throughout the week and weekend. Besides providing human interaction and love, volunteers clean cages and litter boxes.
Besides giving the animals attention, the volunteers provide another set of eyes to report to shelter animals any signs of illness or areas of concern they observe, and they share how well the dogs and cats get along with other animals and how social they are with humans. The final piece of the puzzle is volunteers providing foster care for dogs and cats, which Smith-Skripps said is instrumental in their ability to find forever homes.
For more information on how you can adopt your furever friend, volunteer at the shelter or to be considered as a foster, reach out to the Humane Society of McDonough County, and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/HSMCIL.
