Columbus Animal Care Services, 2730 Arnold Drive, will host an open house seeking donations for animals and providing information on volunteer opportunities from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The community is being invited to “Bring Christmas to the Animals” and learn about pet adopting, fostering, and volunteering opportunities at an open house event on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Columbus Animal Care Services Center, 2730 Arnold Drive.
More than 35 dogs and nearly 45 cats available for adoption or in need of foster homes are staying at the Animal Care Services Center this holiday season. The “Bring Christmas to the Animals” event provides the community with a chance to donate gifts that will improve the pets’ stay at the shelter.
“We want to ensure our animals are very comfortable while they stay with us at the Animal Care Services Center,” said Nicohl Birdwell Goodin, Animal Care Services general manager. “The open house is a great opportunity for the public to learn how they can help us make our shelter a nice temporary home for our adoptable pets.”
Donation items needed include cat, kitten and dog food, bleach, paper towels, pet toys and treats.
Animal Care Services also depends on the generosity of volunteers to help maintain the shelter, keep the animals active and provide foster homes for adoptable pets until they can be placed with their permanent owners.
Short-term and long-term fostering opportunities are available. Short-term fostering requires only one to three weeks of providing the animal a home. Long-term fostering can last an undetermined amount of time until a pet is placed with its permanent home.
Other volunteer services needed include walking the dogs at the shelter, socializing with the cats at the shelter, cleaning up after the pets and driving them to veterinarian appointments. Our new volunteer coordinator will be on hand to talk with visitors about matching their skill sets and interests with the needed volunteer positions of the shelter.
Seasoned foster home providers will also be there to answer questions.
For additional information about the Columbus Animal Care Services, visit columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services.
