BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- If the meows and barks seem a bit louder at the local animal shelter, there is a good reason. Too many homeless pets.

The Potsdam Humane Society is full, nearly unable to accept any pets that may come through their doors.

On top of that, the number of volunteers needed to take care of the animals is shrinking, according to Eudora Watson, Potsdam Humane Society Animal Enrichment and Adoption Volunteer Coordinator.

College students often fill in the gaps volunteering during the year, but their time begins to trail off in late winter and ends in summer, she said.

“Retirees and those 16 and up make excellent volunteers, and so do those under 16 who volunteer with a responsible adult who has also done the training,” Watson said.

Children over the age of 13 are eligible to volunteer at the shelter, pending a few hours of training by shelter staff. It could be a great opportunity for a team, or organization to provide community service by walking dogs, and petting cats. 

The shelter, located at 17 Madrid Ave., displays 16 dogs in their adoption area, but they are caring for more than 30 other dogs in other areas of the facility, according to Bob Stewart, shelter volunteer.

Felines have it as bad, he said. The shelter is caring for well over 100 cats and kittens with minimal space to handle any emergency situations if they arise.

Cats and dogs are now filling space once dedicated to other pets such as birds, small rodents and ferrets. The shelter simply does not have the time or resources to care for and offer other kinds of animals.

Rising costs

Large litters of puppies and kittens, drop-offs and the economy all have contributed to the recent influx of animals, Watson said.

“People just can’t afford pets,” she said.

To help offset costs, the shelter recently held a “Pittie Party” where all pit bull breeds were 30% off. The shelter also has a food pantry for pets to help people get by.

Stewart has started creating short videos on their social media page highlighting each dog’s personality.

This allows people to view the dogs prior to meeting them, eliminating some stress on the dogs and even the adopting family  in the process, he said. 

Walking into the kennel, dogs can act seemingly aggressive, when all they really want is to get near you to play with you, Watson said.

Watson, who trains dogs, said body language between aggression and playfulness is a fine line but there are ways to help dogs remain more calm.

Treats, minimal eye contact with the dogs and respect go a long way.

Adoption programs

How can you help? If able, adopt a pet, volunteer time or donate money or pet goods to the shelter.

Ideally, adoption of an animal is the best outcome for the shelter, the animals, and hopefully the person or family adopting it.

The shelter offers several programs that can make it easier to transition to live with a new pet.

The Seniors for Seniors program allows any person over age 60 to adopt a pet that is seven years or older for free.

Similarly, a Veteran's Adoption Program waives adoption fees for active duty or veterans of the military.

A third program can benefit everyone. 

The Foster to Adopt Program allows a pet to enter a home with the intent to adopt, but to allow people and pets to see if they are a good fit.

This program also benefits the shelter by freeing up space, and resources.

Time is precious, especially for animals with short lifespans. Getting pets ready to get out the door to forever homes requires lots of time from volunteers.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to socialize, walk and train the animals. For those not ready for that commitment, the shelter can always use help with laundry, maintenance, clerical services and manpower in their Best Friends Thrift Store, which also serves as a source of income.

“We currently have 5-7 volunteers in any given month who work with our dogs. Ideally, we'd have 15 volunteers who came to the shelter at least four hours a month to work with the dogs,” Watson said.

Working with dogs includes walking them, offering them quiet one-on-one time, playing games like fetch, and incorporating basic training in all interactions.

“Some dogs are quite shy and need a quiet, patient person to help them develop trust, and our youngest dogs benefit socially from meeting all types of people,” Watson said.

The shelter has agility equipment available for those who either know how to use that equipment or would like to learn.

“We offer levels of training for those who want to advance their dog handling skills and encourage volunteers to work at the level they are comfortable with,” she said.

If unable to adopt or give time, financial donations, and donations of food and pet supplies are always needed. Caring for hundreds of animals is expensive, to the tune of $617,872 budgeted for this year.

The shelter also raises money through fundraisers such as Strut Your Mutt, bottle drives and grants, but the largest source of their income is donations from individuals, businesses and organizations.

“Volunteers make great advocates for our dogs, sharing photographs of our animals on social media and reminding people to ‘shop local’ when looking for a dog,” Watson said.