The non-profit animal rescue group Animal Adoption Society Inc., is seeking volunteers of all ages to help with their upcoming fundraising and adoption events.
AAS President Evelyn Agnelly said the group hosts Adoption Day at Picayune’s Walmart every third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. One is scheduled for this Saturday, she said.
“We bring animals in our care and also allow people trying to rehome animals to come and set up,” Agnelly said. “However, they would have to handle their adoption. We do post pictures of adoptable animals on our website.”
Also during their Saturday events, members ask for donations, which are put toward veterinary bills and food for the animals in their care, she said. All AAS members work on a volunteer basis.
This Saturday, the group will be bringing two animals, Lamb Chop, a 6 to 8-year-old Poodle mix, and George, a 2-year-old Chihuahua mix, Agnelly said. Both dogs are male and have been neutered. They are up-to-date on their vaccinations and heartworm medication, she said. The adoption fee for Lamb Chop is $50 and $100 for George, she said.
The group also fosters cats, but the hot temperatures prevent them from bringing felines to adoption events, Agnelly said. The adoption fee for a cat is $25.
Prospective adoptive families are asked to fill out an application and once volunteers verify references, they can adopt the animal, Agnelly said.
AAS also needs volunteers for their biannual garage sales held during the fall and spring, Agnelly said. They also host an online auction in November and need volunteers to help acquire donations and advertise the event, she added. Those are the group’s biggest fundraising efforts, Agnelly said.
“We are looking for people who love animals and have patience with them,” Agnelly said. “We need people who are reliable and need minimal supervision.”
Agnelly asks that volunteers be more than 10-years-old.
Young adults seeking community service hours are more than welcome, she added.
“If a student is seeking a scholarship, we provide character references,” she said.
The cost to become an AAS member is $30 per year, Agnelly said. That membership price also includes a 10 percent discount at local businesses such as Applebee’s, Watts Veterinary Services, Leonard Animal Hospital and Cale’s Farm Supply, she added.
Learn more about the group and their volunteer opportunities through Facebook at Animal Adoption Society Inc. and PetFinder at www.aas.petfinder.com.
Contact volunteers through email at animaladoptionsociety@yahoo.com and at 601-403-9011.