‘They’re saving lives’

When Woody came to Ruston Animal Control 84 days ago, he cowered in his kennel. His chances of adoption appeared bleak.

Now he’s happy, gets along with other dogs, and is ready for his forever home. Animal Control Director Bill Sanderson attributes Woody’s transformation, and that of other dogs and cats at the shelter, to the work of the cadre of volunteers who cuddle and work with animals.

This summer, approximately 17 students have volunteered time at the shelter.

“They have been fabulous,” Sanderson said. “The amount of growth and traffic, especially in the areas of outreach and adoptions has been absolutely phenomenal.”

In July, a record 40 cats and dogs were adopted; six more animals were reunited with their owners. August has seen six adoptions so far.

Shelter officials say the better socialized an animal is, the better its chances for adoption.

“Our goal is to create a better community around and for our animals here and get them better socialized,” Laurel Nerren, Ruston’s communications director, said.

The city recently received a Louisiana Municipal Association’s Community Achievement Award for outstanding community improvement in basic services for the state-ofthe- art animal control facility that opened earlier this year.

Sanderson said volunteers have helped turn near-feral cats into playful ones, and shy dogs, like Woody, into trusting canines.

Elissa Guillotte, of Choudrant, racked up the most volunteer hours this summer with 74. Guillotte, a business major at Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, begin volunteering after her family adopted a dog from the shelter.

“Honestly, I just like animals,” she said.

Guillotte said she enjoys helping fearful animals become more socialized.

“If they’re scared, they have less chance of getting adopted,” she said.

Taylor Batterton, an incoming sophomore at Choudrant High School, said she may be interested in becoming a veterinarian. Her family, like Guillotte’s, has adopted from the shelter.

She said volunteering benefits the volunteer as well as the animal.

“I feel like if somebody’s depressed, they can come up here and it really boosts their happiness,” Batterton said.

Volunteers can play with the animals, groom them, and, with dogs, help them learn to walk on a leash. Shelter officials encourage people — youngster or adults — who want to learn to be more comfortable around animals to volunteer.

“We want everybody,” Nerren said.

Sanderson tells the story of one local youngster who was afraid of dogs. Her mother brought her to the shelter where, gradually, she began playing with the puppies and conquering her fear.

Meantime, Batterton, Guillotte, and her sister Kelsee, who also volunteered this summer, said they’ve be back at the shelter on school breaks throughout the year.

Sanderson said the fiveperson animal control staff can’t give the animals as much individual attention as some of the dogs and cats need. That’s where the volunteers come in.

“They’re saving lives,” he said.