Volunteer

Volunteering with the Humane Society

When they hear your car ... Tails wag!

During February 2001, the Humane Society of Somerset County started the humble beginnings of a volunteer animal exercising program. Claudia Boyd (along with Sally Urban) began by taking each animal into an indoor exercise area and basically letting the dog or cat run and play for 10- 15 minutes. Some animals went crazy and ran and ran, some were so scared we just held them. Others still were too scared to come out of their cages.

Gradually the animal walkers grew in number and began quite a routine. Our first change was to take the dogs outside. We have a lovely setting no matter what season, and the animals loved it! Our program has grown from 3 volunteers once a week. Each dog is walked outside for at least 15 minutes. With 3-4 volunteers helping, we are usually done in an hour and a half. All puppies are exercised in our playroom and cats and kittens have their own playrooms too.

The rewards are many. First and foremost, it is great exercise for both you and the dog. By working with the animals, many learn to walk on a leash for the first time, they learn how to sit, heel and other important commands that make them more adoptable. Animals become calmer and more sociable. All these assets help them find good homes.

Won't you make the commitment to become a volunteer? We ask that you sign up for at least an hour once a week. Dogs are walked every day of the week between 9 AM and 4 PM. All dog walkers must be at least 18 years of age, able to handle energetic dogs, sign a waiver, and have one training session.

Please wear older clothing, good hiking shoes, and be prepared for a little noise! If you are not interested in walking the dogs, perhaps you would consider being a puppy pal or a kitty friend instead.

We also need volunteers to come in for a few hours each morning to help wash bowls and toys, and to fill Kong toys with peanut butter for our dogs' nightly treat. Other volunteer opportunities include laundry and general housekeeping at the shelter.

Please call the shelter at 814-443-2121 and tell them you wish to become a volunteer.
Please join us. It's a great feeling knowing you are making such a difference in an animal's life!

We hope to see you soon!

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