Trading Places at Greenbrier Humane Society - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Trading Places at Greenbrier Humane Society

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This entire month we are looking towards professions in the area that are dedicated to helping others have a better way of life. This week we are highlighting non-profits who volunteer their time find homes for furry little critters.

Lauren Weppler traded places at the Greenbrier Humane Society. Her first task under Director, Catherine Blankenship, was to learn how to clean out 40 or so cat cages.

"Make sure there isn't any sort of worms, parasites or blood is in the poop," said Blankenship.

 Weppler replied "That looks like good poop."

Blankenship showed Weppler how to inspect and wipe down the cages so potential owners walk through the doors and meet and greet with the animals.

After the cat room was tidy, it was time to take on the dog kennels.

Weppler quickly learned this job was a dirty one, "I got poop in my hand!"

All of the walls of the dog kennels had to be first sprayed with water, then a non-harmful chemical, let set for 15 minutes and sprayed with water again. After that process, each kennel had to be wiped dry with towels.

For technicians, keeping the kennels clean helps to keep the animals healthy and in turn creates a better chance of finding a home.

"It's really nice when an animal has been here for a while and then all of a sudden someone shows up and they absolutely fall in love. They see in the animal what you see. That's the most difficult part that the public doesn't see what we see in these animals everyday," said Blankenship.

Blankenship said if people can't adopt they can always volunteer their time at the shelter, "We don't have the time to play and take every single dog out a couple of times each day or to play with each kitty and these guys sit in their little kennels all day long and its boring for them."

 Donations are always accepted at the Greenbrier Humane Society everything from towels, blankets, to clean and dry newspaper.