I’ve never met a person who can resist a wet-nosed, waggly-tailed, droopy-eyed puppy – even those who claim to be cat people. And if you can’t handle the slobber, a cuddly little kitten never hurt anyone either. While I would love to round up an assortment of these furry friends and take them home, like many folks these days, I simply can’t. Maybe your landlord won’t allow it, your wallet just isn’t thick enough, or your schedule is too full. Don’t despair! You have options. 

The Eau Claire County Humane Association (ECCHA) is always looking for volunteers to help out with the approximately 200 four-legged balls of fur. Volunteers have the chance to walk that dog they always wanted or cuddle up with cats or hang out with various other creatures, from ferrets and rabbits to snakes and chickens. There are a multitude of other tasks that volunteers are needed for, too, such as obedience training, office work, maintenance, greeting, and housekeeping. 

Even if you’re lucky enough to consider owning your own pet, you might suffer from a fear of commitment. Foster parenting may be for you. Some animals get stressed or sick and need some time away from the shelter. The length of the stay may vary and the possibly hefty price tag may fall on your shoulders, but some may say that providing a needy pet a home is priceless. 

The shelter also partners with programs like Purina Pets for People and the Pet Transitional Living Program for pets who live in households with families facing abuse.  

On top of volunteering or foster parenting, you have the chance to interact with the community. Fundraising opportunities are ample and outreach programs allow you to attend events and educate the community about the ECCHA. 

To be considered for any of the jobs above, you simply need to be at least 16 (or come with an animal-loving adult), fill out a simple volunteer form (found on the ECCHA website) and attend a volunteer orientation. 

The shelter’s volunteer coordinator, Jayme Morey, mentions the recent restructuring of the volunteer system that is still in progress, “We’re really excited about that… we do want [the volunteers] to be comfortable and confident and get what they want out of the volunteer program as well as the animals getting what they need.”  

If what you need may be a way to give, donations are always accepted in the form of money or materials. A single donation of $35 dollars could vaccinate ten homeless dogs or feed one lonely feline for three weeks. A detailed list of items the ECCHA needs – such as food, toys, and office supplies, along with options for donating – can be found online. Or save your Gordy’s grocery receipts, use the GoodSearch.com search engine or donate your old ink cartridges through FundingFactory to benefit the shelter. 

Maybe volunteering isn’t your cup of tea and the only donations you are able to make currently is to your stack of bills, but you can still drop by the ECCHA and drool over the cats and dogs and any other surprise creatures you may come across.  Keep in mind that June is Adopt-A-Cat Month (half off adoption fees). Will you be able to resist? 

Volunteer orientations are held at 5pm and 6pm every Thursday. Hopeful volunteers should call ECCHA at 839-4747 ext. 21 or email volunteer@eccha.org to hold your spot (orientations fill up fast).