This is Debbie, Bobbi, and James. They come in as often as possible to walk each and every dog in our care. All of them donate toys and their time to play with them! Sometimes they know the animals better than I do!

This is Peggy Beghtol! You may recognize her name from some
of the animal's pages. She sponsors a lot of our animals as well.
Peggy is from Florida and each time she can get to town she
comes in to walk and spend time with the animals. She even
tries to bring in things she thinks they may want or need
to keep them happy.

A special thank you should also go to Kimberly Hatter and her husband for all they do for our shelter. They not only come out to see the cats and sponsor some of them, they have supplied all of the puppy room and some of the dog room with Kuranda beds. Now they can get up off of the cold floor and have a comfy bed with a warm fleece pad to lay on. Kimberly's father donated a white Jeep for the shelter to use or to sale for donation. Kimberly does not even live in our county and has done so
much for us. Thank you Kimberly

Another thank you should go to Joy Ferrell of Stamey Branch Road. Joy has came into the shelter to work with Sabrina in our cat area each chance she gets. Joy took time from her busy schedule to sow bandanas for our animal photos and donated lots of fabric for our backgrounds. She has even made treats for our staff. She is a very kind and thoughtful person and we appreciate all she does.

This is Laura Minx. She comes in every time she can to walk and play
with Gracie. She just thinks the world of this sweet dog. Laura also sponsors Gracie once a month to help the shelter with the cost of sheltering her. Laura has her own dogs at home which is why
she can not adopt Gracie for herself.

This group of children and adults came from Old Beech Mountain to
volunteer. They spent time with all the animals and watched a video on
safety around cats and dogs.

Even children understand that animals need more than
just a kennel behind the house. Bringing your child
to read to a dog or cat gives the animals the
attention they need and the children the reading
practice they can not get enough of.

This is Carol Brown and Bonnie an English Shepherd.
Carol is working with all of the dogs to ensure they
get all the attention they need. She spends hours
walking them outside to play and run off all
their excess energy. Carol's husband is as much
a jewel as she is. They truly go the extra mile to
make a difference.

Mike Oliver is Vice President of our board. Annie
is her very spoiled Schnauzer. Annie was adopted
from us years ago and is now living the "Dogs Life"!
Mike is a very talented painter that does pet portraits. Her
original work can be seen at "Finders Keepers" antique shop,
and reproductions on sale at "The Great Train Robbery". Mike
paints and donates funds to our shelter.

 Julie Buchanan has came in a couple of times
this summer to volunteer. She loves to hold and
play with the kittens. Oreo is her favorite!

These two little girls had a great time petting and loving the cats and kittens. They don't even know how much what they like to do helps our homeless animals.

Sometimes when you come into the shelter you find that you are petted more than the cats are! This is midnight in her lap. He was chewing on her shirt buttons while she brushed him. Piper (the white cat) found it all very interesting.

This is David. He has came in to volunteer since the beginning of the Summer.
David is very good with the cats and kittens. He and his mother work very hard to help Sabrina keep everyone clean and healthy.

Any amount of positive time with an animal can change
their lives and yours.

If you are looking for something to do on the weekends, or during breaks in your every day life, the Avery County Animal Shelter is looking for you. We are welcoming any and all help from
our friends and neighbors. Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The dogs and cats in our shelter would love to have the company of a loving hand. Any job you can do will help one hundred percent. The cats for example love to get brushed, or to have a nice warm lap to
crawl up in. Our dogs love to have a long walk around the shelter or even someone to play catch with.

Below is a list of some examples in ways that you can help:

• bathing puppies

• playing with dogs/puppies

• brushing cats/kittens                                                

• helping to clean their living spaces

• laundry

• walking dogs

• feeding the animals

• reading to the animals

• helping staff with anything they might need

• helping with booth at the Great Train Robbery

Those are just examples! There is a ton more and it is all up to you! Stop by or call anytime! 828-733-6312 Email us at adoptapet@vol.com.

Volunteering Facts and Stats

• 44 percent of adults in the United States volunteer with a formal organization. Of these, 63 percent volunteer on a regular basis--monthly or more.

• On average, American volunteers donate just over 24 hours per month.

• Collectively, volunteers contribute about 15.5 billion hours a year.

• Over three-quarters of volunteers belong to a religious organization (versus 58% of non-volunteers).

• No differences are found in the number of hours spent volunteering based on age, gender, race, ethnicity or religious attendance.

• Slightly more women volunteer than men (46% compared to 42%).

• Of those asked to volunteer, 71% do so.

• About 84 million adults volunteer, representing the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion.

Source: "Giving and Volunteering in the United States, 2001" a report by the national coalition Independent Sector

This page was last updated on 08/25/08. Please visit us daily to see our
new arrivals and find out which of our animals found a home.

Copyright © 1999-2008  Avery County Humane Society all rights reserved
Produced and Edited daily by  Charlene Calhoun
If you are in need of someone to take over the updating or designing of your website
call Charlene Calhoun or email Charlene at olivernco@gmail.com.