Volunteers help provide care for animals in need

Dear Editor:

 I want to give a shout out to the Weiser River Animal Rescue volunteers who help out at the Weiser City Pound. I’m not sure how many residents realize our impounded animals are the responsibility of our city ordinance enforcement officer. Along with her code enforcement duties, she processes animal impounds and all their daily care, including feeding, shelter cleaning, etc. all in a five-day, 40 hour week. 

 Holidays and weekends are the days when this group of volunteers take over shelter duties, including what can’t be accomplished during the week. Dogs get walked by volunteers while others clean the kennels, food dishes, etc. Other volunteers clean cat cages, replace litter, wash dishes, and even launder blankets or towels at home. Perhaps most importantly, all the animals are given some human love and contact not always possible throughout the work week. 

 At times there can be between 10-20 cats and another 5-10 dogs, so this is no small undertaking. Drive by the shelter any early weekend morning and you’ll see 3-5 cars parked there, often the only visible evidence of volunteers quietly and discreetly providing this service to our community.  

 Most of these animals have been abandoned through no fault of their own and deserve a loving home. If you’re looking for a worthy organization to support financially or with time and extra love to share with a pet for a few minutes on the weekend, I’d encourage you to contact the Weiser River Animal Rescue group.  

Tony Edmondson

Weiser, Idaho