Shelter volunteer asks all to come to facility and volunteer

To the Editor:

This is in response to "What exactly is their job?" I gladly invite you or anyone else who questions the efforts of the Humane Shelter and all who volunteer there. I often volunteer my time there, and I think if you spend some time at the shelter you would have a better understanding of what it actually takes to keep the shelter running. The employees and volunteers are at the shelter 10 hours a day for seven days a week, at least. While the rest of us are enjoying holidays, they are feeding, watering and walking the animals, as well as cleaning pens and giving meds to those in need. This happens day in and day out.

They house 69 dogs, 75 cats, 12 puppies and 7 kittens. This is no part-time job. They care for each and every one of the animals. Each employee and volunteer diligently tries to place the animals into responsible and caring homes.

The employees and volunteers at the Clay County Shelter do not want to turn away any animals in need, but let's face it, they can only house so many. At some point they have to simply say "no."

Unfortunately, the problem lies with the community -- people need to be responsible for their pets. The shelter would not be full if the community would come together and have their pets spayed and neutered.

The shelter offers this service to the community. Let's all step up and help the shelter succeed by donating food, litter, cleaning supplies and most of all your time. We cannot adopt our way out of an over-populated shelter.

People are often quick to criticize what they do not know or fully understand. I ask you not to take a mile in their shoes, but instead just spend 15 minutes of your time doing what they do every day.

Sarah Workman, Brazil