Puppy love during the holiday season: The Erath County Humane Society

BY LINDSEY HUGHES

Art Director

The Erath County Humane Society is a treasured part of Stephenville. Going on nearly 50 years of operation, this shelter strives to keep dogs and cats off the streets and in good, loving homes.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it can be easy to overlook our furry friends that might not be in the best position. The beauty of this time of year is that it’s the season of giving, and some organizations like the Humane Society operate solely off of others’ generosity.

That generosity can go a very long way. Serena Wright is the director of the Humane Society, and she testified to the fact that the community is what makes the shelter run.

“Foster, donate, adopt, spay/neuter… we need it all. Money to pay bills, dog food, cat food, cleaning supplies – it’s all important,” Wright said.

The Erath County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, so they are constantly taking on animals out of horrible conditions that they may not necessarily have room for. The limited indoor space for dogs also makes it hard during seasons filled with bad weather.

The community has really come through for the shelter in times like these to help the dogs live the best life possible while there.

“This last summer, when it rained so much, we had 70 dogs go into foster. We called and said our kennels were flooding, and people even delivered pine pellets for us. That was huge,” Wright said.

Acts of kindness like these can make a greater impact than it might seem, and especially this season, it’s a perfect time to spread some holiday cheer by helping out where possible; whether that’s fostering during this season to free up kennels, donating food or cleaning supplies so that these animals can stay healthy or even volunteering at the shelter.

Kynlie Bogle, a Tarleton student who has volunteered at the Humane Society before, loves the opportunity to make an impact, big or small, on the animals.

“Volunteering there is not only fun, it also brings such a sense of reward. A lot of those dogs are there through no fault of their own, and if I can brighten their day even a little, it’s worth my time,” Bogle said.

Many of the animals at the shelter are there due to family circumstances that could not be helped: deaths of owners or families who had to move and are no longer able to keep their pets, apartment complexes not allowing animals or even high energy dogs being returned because not enough research was put into the decision to get one.

Volunteers are vital to keep the shelter running smoothly, and because of the nature of the business, there are more volunteers than paid staff. They are incredibly important, whether it’s cleaning, walking dogs, sitting with timid animals or helping at events.

One of these events volunteers help with is the Take a Paws on-campus event that happens around the holidays and finals.

Take a Paws, put on by Tarleton Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, is a wonderful way to not only de-stress during a busy season but also provides an opportunity to meet adoptable dogs. These students volunteer for sometimes months before the event to bond with dogs and ensure that they will feel safe and secure during the entire time.

“So many people stop by. I had one girl tell me that she needed that so much, to stop by between tests. She had failed a final and had been crying, and she said that it just helped a lot,” Wright said.

Pre-Vet club member and Public Relations officer Bianca Ochoa is one of the many members who have been a part of this tradition before. She understands just how stressful it can be to be a student and how much Take a Paws can help.

“I’ve learned that not every dog connects with every person, but when the right match happens, it is something special to witness. Caring for animals not only benefits them, it also strengthens our community and reminds people of the importance of compassion and service,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa’s words are a reminder that compassion and service are free and easy to give but make a huge difference. Take a Paws doesn’t just benefit the people who get to de-stress through it, it also benefits these dogs. They get to have more human contact than they usually do, get out of the shelter and even possibly be adopted.

“I hope Take a Paws reminds people how meaningful it can be to support animals in need, especially during the holidays. This time of year can be overwhelming for shelters, and even small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” Ochoa said.

It is also important to remember that not everyone is in the right place to adopt a pet, and not everyone should adopt a pet. The Erath County Humane Society understands that, which is why the shelter closes their doors on Christmas Eve through Christmas Day. This is to prevent a last-minute present being a pet. It is crucial to remember that pets are not a gift, they are a new family member, and they require a lot of thought and research.

By closing their doors these days, the shelter most definitely loses out on money – money that they need, but they care too deeply for the well-being of these dogs and cats to let them go to homes that won’t properly care for them.

Even if you aren’t in a position to adopt, there are cheap and free donation options available, things like old but clean bath towels or blankets that are no longer in use, clean pet beds or leftover unopened canned dog/cat food. Even left over pine shavings can be helpful during rainy times.

The holidays are the perfect time to spread joy by loving on our furry friends in less fortunate situations. To donate, volunteer, foster or adopt, you can visit the Humane Society’s website at erathcountyhumanesociety.com.