Walk this way: Volunteers helping exercise shelter dogs
This shelter dog got a walk, treats and lots of exercise during Grab a Leash Labor Day.
What began with a plea on social media has turned into a community project to help dogs being housed at the Laurens County Animal Shelter.
The shelter is currently caring for more than 100 dogs and all of them needed a little break, so Director Caroline Barnard posted on the shelter’s Facebook page, asking for volunteers to walk dogs as part of Grab A Leash Labor Day.
The shelter has more than 15,000 followers on Facebook. Earlier, WYFF-TV produced a story on the need for volunteer dog walkers, and people responded.
On Labor Day, the shelter posted that 33 volunteers – a new record number – showed up to walk the dogs, giving them needed exercise and a mental break from life in their kennels.
Barnard followed up with another Facebook post after a day full of walks and tail wags.
“Y’all showed up today like we have never had before,” the post read. “We are just overwhelmed. Every single dog that could be walked got a time out. And we have 100 dogs here today. We had to go hunting for more leads there were so many people arriving. . . . You made all the difference. Several of you not only showed up to walk, but you showed up with bags of donations. We just cannot thank you enough for caring about the dogs in our care.”
With more than 100 dogs, the shelter is currently at near double capacity, so the volunteer walkers not only give the dogs a break, but they also help out a staff that is stretched thin on time.
“Our hope is to keep it going,” Barnard said. “We know people get excited in the beginning and sort of face out, but we’re hoping people will get into a routine and continue to come out for the dogs. We want to do anything we can to get more exposure for the shelter and the dogs.”
Volunteers take two shelter dogs on a walk together during Grab a Leash Labor Day.
Barnard said a regular crew of 3-4 volunteers shows up daily to help out with the walks, and all are welcome during the shelter’s operating hours.
But Labor Day was a banner day for the shelter and especially for the dogs like Rico, an apparent Shepherd mix that has been in the shelter for more than 400 days.
“The Laurens County community showed up today,” posted volunteer Scott Watson. “It was so wonderful to see all the dogs walked and many were walked three and four times. So many wagging tails and smiling faces. My kids and I really enjoyed ourselves.
This is such a wonderful and welcoming shelter. All show so much compassion. It has been rewarding for me and a blessing to come out and walk these dogs.”
With the success of Grab A Leash Labor Day, the wheels are spinning for Barnard and her staff to put together other events.
“Whatever the season brings, we can definitely try it,” she said. “We’ll be breaking ground on our new building soon, and it will be more inviting for people, and we’ll be able to accommodate a lot more people.”
Barnard said the best times to volunteer are between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays and around 10 a.m.-noon on weekends. Volunteers will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
