The Humane Society
By Daniela Munguia
Skiff Staff

Audrey Jones was only 10 years old when her cat, Lace, had to be put to sleep.

“It was a painful experience for me,” Jones, a sophomore biology major, said. “I knew then that I wanted to help animals and become a vet.”

She has been volunteering to help animals in need since then

“Animals need good homes and people should help out so they (the animals) don’t have to be put to sleep,” Jones said.

Jones works as an adoption counselor at the Humane Society of North Texas, a nonprofit organization for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Jones said she began volunteering at the Humane Society nine months ago and developed a close relationship with many animals at the shelter.

“We don’t get to have pets in the dorms, so by working here I don’t miss my dogs so much,” Jones said. “We like to give them nicknames depending to their personalities.”

As Jones enters the dog adoption area, she is greeted by nonstop barking.

“The dogs get really excited when people come in,” she said. “They almost seem to be yelling, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’”

Each one of the many cages holds a dog in need of a loving owner.

“Maizzee just got adopted, she’s one of my favorite,” Jones said. “We call her ‘shaky butt’ because all she does is shake her hips.”

Gusto, a young, playful blue-eyed Dalmatian, is a good example of why people shouldn’t buy pets on impulse, she said.

“Gusto has been here since October,” Jones said. “When the movie (“102 Dalmatians”) came out, many parents bought Dalmatians and then had to get rid of them after they realized they weren’t good with kids.”

Jones said it’s sometimes hard to let go of the animals, but she feels safe knowing the adoption process has many requirements that make sure the animal will be fine.

“We actually go to visit the animals at their new home once they are adopted to make sure they are treated well,” Jones said.

Jamey Cantrell, the operations director, said the Humane Society never turns its back on an animal in need.

“I enjoy working with animals because I feel I am making a difference,” Cantrell said. “Many people think that we are a charity but we exists entirely on donations, from salaries to pet food.”

Volunteers are needed seven days a week, Cantrell said. The Humane Society has many volunteer opportunities including taking care of animals and helping with facility maintenance.

“I never have the same day twice and I’ve been doing this for seven years — whether it is figuring out where to put four tigers that police found in a raid at a drug dealer’s house or rescuing an animal that is being abused,” Cantrell said.

Danielle Graham, a volunteer, said walking dogs at the Humane Society is a rewarding experience.

“Dogs need someone to play with just like kids do, and it makes me happy to get them out of their cages,” Graham said.

The Humane Society’s Web Site states it is one of the largest animal shelters in Texas — housing 400 to 500 animals each day. During the past two years, the Humane Society has cared for more than 60,000 animals that have been abandoned, injured or mistreated.

“We’ve had dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, goats, bobcats, lions, bears, horses and even a camel,” Cantrell said.

Jones said there are 75 to 100 dogs and 25 to 50 cats available for adoption at the Humane Society most of the time. The adoption cost is $80 and includes spay/neuter surgery, flea treatment and the first set of shots.

“It is important that people realize that animals need as much help as humans,” Cantrell said.

Each year the Humane Society places more than 6,000 animals into adoptive homes.

“We have a 40-to-60 adoption ratio at our facility,” Cantrell said. “Unfortunately, 60 percent of the animals we receive have to be put to sleep.”

The Humane Society was founded more than 100 years ago and is at 1840 East Lancaster. The new Southwest Adoption Center is at 6708 South Hulen.

Orientation sessions for new volunteers are conducted twice a month at the East Lancaster location. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, work at least four hours a month in the shelter and pay a $20 enrollment donation to pay for their orientation materials.

For more information on ways to help the Humane Society, visit their Web site at (www.hsnt.net) or contact Gena Taylor, volunteer coordinator, at (genahsnt@yahoo.com).

d.n.munguia@tcu.edu