A new group of volunteers is stepping up to aid the helpless and homeless animals in our area.
Laura Williams, one of those volunteers, has founded the “Friends of the Brewton Animal Control and Adoption Center” to help the local animal shelter with some of its difficult problems.
“Our goal is to help supply the center with items needed to help keep the animals happy and healthy while in the shelter, and to help find these animals loving homes,” said Williams. “Friends of the Brewton Animal Control and Adoption Center doesn’t require a lot of time or financial commitment, but it will make a big difference for the animals.”
The group plans its first meeting for Monday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at Brewton Church of Christ fellowship hall, located at 611 Douglas Avenue. They do ask that you bring either a large bag of dog food or kitten food.
“My daughter, Tiffany, and I found a stray kitten on the corner where we live, and we were afraid it was going to be run over by a car,” Williams said. “We carried it from house to house trying to find the owner. No one claimed it and the cat we had at home would not let us keep the kitten so we carried the kitten to the animal shelter. While we were there, we saw just how much help is needed at the shelter.
“Our decision to start this program came about after we went out there several times to check on the kitten,” Williams added. “The shelter is doing a great job with what they have to work with, but we want to get the word out that these animals are in need of a good home with people to love them.”
Williams said she found out that some animal shelters have support groups working with them. The group is not involved with the day to day work at the shelter, but try to be as helpful as possible with walking the animals and giving them love and attention.
“The center has many lovable, sweet dogs and cats just waiting for a home,” Williams said. “The workers are all wonderful, but living life in a kennel or cage is a sad life. Animals who are taken to the center are given seven days for their owners to claim them. After the seven days, they are given 30 days to be adopted. At the end of that time, the animals are euthanized. Since January of this year, more than 200 animals have had to be euthanized.
“The workers do all they can to take care of the animals, but the animals need to be loved and that is what we are trying to do,” she added. “Tiffany and I come out here almost every day. We take the dogs out for a walk and hold the kittens that need to be cuddled. It is very rewarding to see how much they want the attention.”
The center is limited in funds for treats and toys for the animals, so any donations of treats, toys or money is appreciated. Williams said they hope to get enough volunteers to help play with the animals and love them. Pet owners who have not seen their pet in a while should check with the center. They could be just waiting for their owners to come get them.
“Anyone who wants to volunteer, does not have to do any cleaning,” Williams said. “The center employees do the cleaning. We need volunteers to play with the animals. It would be wonderful if students from the local high schools or from JDCC could donate a little of their time for these animals, and it wouldn’t look bad on college forms or resumes. It is very rewarding to see a scared animal respond to the attention of someone who loves them. The bottom line is to help get these animals adopted by loving owners, but to keep them as happy as we can until those adoptions are made.”