Students and pets benefit from shelter volunteering

VOLUN TEERING FROM 12

“From that I went to volunteering here,”Robinson said. “After I graduate, I want to work at a humane society.”

Beth Hayslett, a Flexible Pathways teacher at the Center for Community Connections at Woodstock Union, connected the students with Lucy Mackenzie and said it has been a great fit for both.

“The students love it and they get a lot out of it,”Hayslett said. “They are all a really big help and the staff here is wonderful, very welcoming.”

Robinson added a little extra to her volunteering about a month ago when she was home and feeling a

“little bored.”

“I began researching some simple dog treat recipes,”Robinson said. “I found three easy ones I could make from what I had at home and brought them in. And they loved them.”

Socializing is a big part of helping the animals prepare for adoption and the students are able to spend the time with the animals that the regular staff is not always able to do.

“The students are great and it makes a big difference,”said Lucy Mackenzie Program Coordinator Amy Woodman, adding that the experience can also give them a window into potential careers in veterinary care.

Windish remembered helping at Lucy Mackenzie when she was a youngster and decided to return with Campisi.

“I love this because I love animals. Cats are my favorite,”said Windish, who also volunteers at spay and neuter clinics in her hometown of Reading, Vt. “It feels good to come by and help. I sometimes do dishes, laundry or prepare food from the pet pantry to supply the food shelf.”

As for her future, Windish could see herself maybe working with horses or possibly opening a cat café, a themed café where cats who are up for adoption roam free while patrons enjoy a cup of coffee.

“Vera has been super engaged with the cats and has really enjoyed it,”Hayslett said.

Lucy Mackenzie takes in cats, dogs and rabbits. Some are rescued as strays, but many are surrendered by their owners because they may be moving or otherwise are no longer able to care for them.

Socializing the animals is an important step toward adoption. Windish recalled her recent experience with a jet black cat named Pepe that did not play well with others.

“He was a bit aggressive when he came here,”Windish said, as she reached out to Pepe, who sniffed her hand. “He would hiss and would not let me touch him: Even when I gave him treats he growled. But I started to build toward petting him and now I will go in and he rolls on his stomach, which is a sign of trust.”

In Claremont, at the Sullivan County Humane Society, located in a storefront off Opera House Square, student volunteers help in much the same way as those at Lucy Mackenzie.

On a recent afternoon, while a few people spoke with staff and looked at cats for possible adoption, student volunteers Asher Williams and Zachary Stevens were inside a large cage enjoying a social moment with a black cat that was racing around, pawing at a piece of string held by Williams.

Both boys come weekly to help out and perform whatever tasks are needed.

“I clean litter boxes, get them food and water and socialize with them,”Zachary, a sixth grader, said. “I love animals. If I could have one of every pet I would.”

Zachary said he was looking for something to fill his Tuesday afternoons and volunteering at the humane society checked a lot of boxes.

“It is one of my favorite things to do,”Zachary said. “I come here and hang out with friends, socialize with the animals and support a small shelter that can really use a hand.”

Asher, who is in eighth grade, said he became interested in volunteering after his cat died and the family came to the shelter for a new one.

“I thought it would be a nice place to volunteer and to see that the cats get a nice home,”said Asher, who just started this month and plans to volunteer about four hours a week.

The small shelter can have up to 50 cats, on two floors, that are either ready to be adopted or being prepared for adoption.

“We can give them age-appropri- ate tasks and they do a lot of little things that really help us,”Volunteer Coordinator Sue Tarzewski said. “Community engagement and helping to socialize the cats is important.”

The humane society has five or six students who devote a few hours a week to helping take care of the cats.

One of the most dedicated volunteers is eighth grader Mikaela Carrick, who spends her afternoons at the humane society when it is open. On a recent afternoon, she sat petting Pom Pom curled up in her lap.

“I feel badly for these cats and I like to give them attention,”Mikaela said.

Both Sullivan County Humane

Society and Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society —which rely on volunteers and donations —are grateful for the students’dedication to helping care for the animals.

“It is nice to have volunteers for the extra stuff, like with cats and getting them to be less aggressive and things like that,”Woodman said. “They are not immediate needs but nice things to have happen.”

Patrick O’Gradycan bereached at pogclmt@gmail.com.

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