Volunteers make all difference for rescues

Maureen Paulson
Special to In Motion

Helping stop the unnecessary over-population and euthanasia of millions of unwanted pets might seem like a daunting task. But Daytona State College students can do just that, proving that a single person and a single deed can make a difference.

There are dozens of opportunities within the region, and even on campus to help end a tragic situation.

Vicki Stanley, manager of mail and packages at DSC, never misses an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of all sorts of animals. She says, “One thing that really bothers me is that it’s our taxes being used for the housing, care and many times, euthanasia, of these animals!”

Stanley is convinced there are better, less expensive, more humane ways to handle the problem. She volunteers often at area animal welfare groups and if she can do that, she believes even a busy college student might spare one day a month.

One of the many groups that benefit from Stanley’s help is Concerned Citizens For Animal Welfare. CCFAW’s Marea DeMaura has worked for the nonprofit for 16 years. She emphasizes, like Stanley, the constant need for volunteers. CCFAW President Cheryl Roble agrees, especially when it comes to their pet project. The two women have been working hard to implement a trap/neuter /release, also known as TNR, program for feral cats. With the aid of as many volunteers as they can find, such efforts have shown success here and in other parts of the country.

In this program, Volusia County Animal Control does the hard part. They take care of the trapping and transporting of cats to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated, then release the felines back to where they were caught. DeMaura says the cat colonies are registered by the county as long as it is shown that someone is feeding and monitoring the colony. Animal Control also notches the animals’ ears to show the ones that have gone through the process. Roble and DeMaura say that is just the beginning.

Next, volunteers are always needed to visit these colonies twice a day for feedings. Volunteers are also needed to provide food for the cats.

Cats, however, are not the only animals in need throughout Volusia County. Nonprofits such as Second Chance, Sophie’s Circle and Chloe’s Paw always are looking for people to help out. That might be something as small as donating used blankets and towels to these shelters or volunteering one Saturday a month to help with adoption clinics held at local Petsmarts.

Such clinics do not profit Petsmart, but the corporate giant feels the need to assist in finding homes for adoptable animals. They give local shelters an outlet to reach the public and find suitable adoptees that can offer these pets a “forever home.”

Students and DSC employees should watch around campus for flyers that have been recently been posted. These frequently pop up during and after the holiday and list donation items needed, such as blankets, dog and cat food and cleaning supplies. But donation boxes can always be found somewhere on campus. These are especially prevalent around Christmas, but CCFAW and other groups need such items all year long.

Not least, Halifax Humane Society, 2364 LPGA Blvd in Daytona Beach, is in need of people to walk and socialize the animals housed there. To contact the shelter, call 386-274-4703. Their website offers tons of information and ways to become involved at: www.halifaxhumanesociety.org.

Halifax is an open-door animal shelter that receives over 15,000 animals annually through city contracts and owner surrenders. Kennel and cage capacity comfortably house approximately 350 animals per day and is usually full. Unfortunately, most of these animals are humanely euthanized because they cannot find new owners.

Equipped with a spay/neuter clinic, it performs early-age spay/neuter surgeries to ensure all adopted animals are altered before entering a new home. Subsidized spay/neuter surgeries are also available at Halifax Humane Society’s Redinger Spay/Neuter Clinic, located at 600 Mason Ave. in Daytona Beach. In addition, for a relatively small fee, the facility will cremate your pet after death.

Although statistics are difficult to come by, most animal welfare agencies estimate approximately 3.7 million animals were euthanized in the nation’s shelters in 2008. This number represents a generally accepted statistic that is widely used by many nonprofits, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Those who want to fight those terrible odds by going the political route can obtain booklets of their City Council meeting times, where local lawmakers and citizens discuss the TNR and other animal welfare issues. Voices and votes are always needed to help furry friends, now and for the future.