This is the first article in a series of articles on educational programs and volunteer efforts being made at area animal shelters in order to promote responsible pet ownership and manage the ongoing problems of pet overpopulation.

At right: New volunteer Liza Megherian holds 5-month-old "Eddie" in the Union County animal shelter's adoption center. The kitten is named after Sheriff Eddie Cathey.

Working Together for Animal Welfare
Part One

by Deborah Parkhill Mullis

Union County Animal Services held its first volunteer orientation on Wednesday, February 28, at the new animal shelter on Presson Road in Monroe.

"A lot of folks still think of us as the dog catcher running around with a net. We‘re a lot more than that," said Lt. Michelle Starnes, director of Union County Animal Services.

The two-hour orientation was organized by Starnes and three experienced shelter volunteers: Kristin Blank, Maggie Blutreich and Sue Hardy. By organizing current volunteers and beginning to expand the shelter’s volunteer base, they hope the new volunteer services coordinator will be able to "hit the ground running," said Hardy.

Union County commissioners recently looked into the cost of funding a full-time coordinator to oversee all volunteer services of the Union County animal shelter. The position was recently posted on the county’s Web site with an annual salary range of $29,710 - $44, 565.

Paid volunteer coordinator Linda Hagemann has been with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Control for almost five years now. Together CMPD Animal Control, Hagemann and her volunteers saved the lives of 5,747 cats and dogs through adoptions and owner reunions during the 2006 fiscal year.

In 2006, Union County Animal Services saved about 1,550 animals. "I have a lot of visions of where we can take this volunteer program," said Starnes, who has visited surrounding animal shelters.

A retired pharmacist and a high school senior who plans to become a veterinarian were two of the 10 animal lovers who attended the orientation. Everyone received a folder of information about animal services and responsible pet ownership. A set of goals for animal shelter volunteers was included.

Blank spoke about upcoming events in need of volunteers: The US Equine Rescue League’s 2nd Annual Field Day on April 21 at 1126 Charlie Williams Road in Monroe and the "Doggie Idol Contest" on May 27th at Waxhaw’s Memorial Day celebration. Volunteers will process rabies clinic paperwork at the April event and will educate the public about responsible pet ownership and promote the volunteer program during the May contest.

Ann Bass, animal medical technician, covered routine measures such as blood tests, health exams, preventative medications, temperament evaluations and vaccinations provided for shelter animals. She explained why some treatments are not provided and why certain animals have to be euthanized, noting that rescue groups are often contacted in the case of animals the shelter can not care for like heartworm positive ones.

Bass said she’s happy to have enough space to hold animals for a few days now and let them calm down. "This facility is so much bigger, I liken it to moving from Motel 6 to the Westin," joked Bass. "Sometimes it’s just a trust issue and in 24 to 36 hours they will adjust to their new environment and see that we are not the bad guys."

New volunteers will be trained by experienced volunteers in the shelter’s adoption center, Hardy said. She covered the basic rules for safety, cleaning cat cages and taking dogs from inside kennels to outside runs. Even the proper radio station for shelter animals was discussed: classical music only please!

Blutreich, a certified professional dog trainer, gave tips on bringing out the best in shelter dogs and eliciting the best opinion from people who visit the shelter. "We are the face of the animal shelter," she said, "a person who walks in here may have never been in any shelter before. You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

For information on volunteering contact: Kristin Blank: weebiscuit1946@yahoo.com or 704-843-5152.

This article was published in Union County Weekly, Volume 2, Number 10 * March 9-15, 2007 www.unioncountyweekly.com