Adopt-A-Pet: Helping the Community One Dog at a Time

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Submitted by Adopt-A-Pet Dog Shelter

dogThere is a small organization that has been quietly helping dogs in need for 35 years.  In just 2014, Adopt-A-Pet dog shelter saved the lives of 247 unwanted dogs and placed them in caring homes.  Located in Mason County, the majority of the dogs are adopted by residents in other counties, like Thurston.  Abandoned, stray or owner released dogs of all shapes and sizes continually fill the kennels. The animals are vet checked, neutered if needed, and then prospective new owners are carefully screened to make the perfect match.

These good deeds are accomplished by a small band of dedicated volunteers, with no paid positions.   But in order to help the community, they need help from the community. According to Rachel Sedlacek, Vice President of Adopt-A-Pet, that is the struggle for any small non-profit.  You just don’t always have the people or money to go out and get the people or money you need to keep things going. The group holds several fundraisers per year, such as plant and yard sales, a golf tournament, and pet pictures with Santa.

Right now Adopt-A-Pet is desperately in need of weekday volunteers, especially afternoon shifts.  Even just three hours a week makes a huge difference.   Once the morning chores are done, the time is dedicated to making the dogs lives better.  Many of them have come from bad situations and just need to know people care about them.  Volunteers walk or run the dogs on gravel roads near the facility, play with them in the three large exercise yards, or just give them a brushing and some quiet attention.  There are a lot of biscuits and tennis balls involved.  Even if you don’t like to get covered in fur, there are a number of other volunteer opportunities such as helping with fundraising, planning events, distributing flyers, or grounds maintenance.

If you are not the volunteer type, the website lists many other ways you can still make a big difference. Food and supplies are always needed – you can drop them off or they can be sent through Amazon Wishlist.  Store gift cards are always welcome.  Online programs like Amazon Smile or Good Search make a donation every time you shop.  Fred Meyer shoppers can link their rewards card to the shelter.  You can even donate your junk car and list the shelter as your charity of choice.  Most donations are tax deductible.

Business sponsors and private financial donations from helpful citizens are what really keep the non-profit going.  Some businesses help out with monetary donations or supplies while others host or sponsor fundraisers.  Says Sedlacek, “These businesses help more than they know and do it because they care, not just because it is good for business”.

Adopt-A-Pet dog shelter is located at 940 E Jensen Road in Shelton, just off Brockdale. If you’d like to volunteer, donate, become a business sponsor, or adopt a new best friend, visit www.adoptapet-wa.org, email thedoghouse3091@hotmail.com or call (360) 432-3091.   And check them out on Facebook .

 

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