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 come into the shelter to work with Sabrina in our cat area each chance she gets. Joy took time from her busy schedule to sew 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 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.

Miss Kelly Livingston comes in at least twice a month to walk the large dogs. As you can probably tell they love to lay and play. She has a touch with the dogs and has gotten to know who is who.

Debbie Santini comes in on Monday afternoons or Saturdays to volunteer with the cats and kittens. She is more than willing to do laundry, scoop litter boxes or anything else needing done.

This is Lila Taylor. She came in with Mrs. Santini and also loves to work with the cats. Lila also comes in on Monday to take a special cat to our local television station for an interview.

Linda Schaller comes in on Fridays to walk our dogs. She even gives them a "spa" day on rainy days. Linda knows a lot about the dogs' personalities by spending so much one on one time.

Kathy Avery comes in and helps in the catroom every Thursday during our spay/neuter clinics. Kathy and her husband Bill are very helpful with them when they are sick and offer fostering for ones who otherwise would not make it.

Mike Oliver is one of our board members. 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. She also knits purses and sales them giving her proceeds to our shelter animals.

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