SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – Summers County’s new state-of-the-art temporary dog kennels in Hinton remain full with rotating occupancy and overflow, requiring some dogs to be temporarily housed in kennels outdoors. With winter approaching and outdoor temperatures dropping, the local humane society is actively recruiting and training new volunteers, seeking adoptive forever homes for eight adult dogs as foster families care for another 15 dogs and puppies as the holidays approach. New volunteers are needed, and if you love dogs, this is a great gig.
The dogs living temporarily in the kennels belong to the Sheriff’s department, but the Summers County Humane Society/ACWP helps care for them and assists in operating the kennels, feeding, socializing, transporting to veterinary care, offering outdoor activity, and delivering the dogs to partnering rescues when spots are available. Fostering a dog allows extra time to locate forever homes, and sometimes dogs live in foster homes for a few days, a few weeks, or sometimes longer, and the humane society provides all the food, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering while they live with volunteers and their families. It’s a perfect opportunity for those who love dogs but perhaps can’t afford to own a dog, provide food, or health care. It’s also a great opportunity for those who live alone and would appreciate canine companionship, or for seniors who may be spending holidays alone this year. It’s easy to apply to become a volunteer.
Adoption events include one coming up this weekend at Hinton’s Batteau Beach at Hinton Landing, during Hinton’s Hometown Christmas Charlie Brown Christmas Beach Bash Christmas Adoption Event, where folks can meet some dogs in need of homes, The public is asked to bring dog food, toys, towels and blankets to donate to the dogs on Saturday November 29th from 2:00 until 6:00 pm at Hinton Landing.
To make room for other dogs in need, the humane society is actively publicizing available dogs with the help of the Hinton News weekly spotlight and Mountainplex Media’s Fur Baby Fridays on Classic Hits 98.3 FM and WMTD-AM 1380, featuring a different dog every week on the radio stations’ Facebook page. Dogs available for adoption can be found at pet.com, Petfinder.com, and at www.acwp-wv.org/adoptions.
“We have been launching numerous promotional campaigns with the goal of keeping loving and amazing dogs ‘top of mind’ in our community,” according to ACWP Board Member Gayle Rancer.
A series of western saloon-style “Wanted” posters can be seen on bulletin boards and shop windows throughout the area.
“We get to know the dogs while they’re in our volunteer care, and we can evaluate how they are with other pets, children, and their distinct personalities. They’re all good dogs, whether abandoned, stray, neglected, rescued, or surrendered, often let down by their original owners, or mourning the loss of a deceased owner, worthy of love and a caring, safe, and loving home. We are just trying to match them up with a second chance in a secure situation. The sooner we can place them, whether temporarily or permanently, the sooner we can free up space at the kennels for the next dogs in need.”
To apply to volunteer to explore a new purpose in life, to include temporary foster dogs in your home, or to adopt, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@acwp-wv.org.
Since the ribbon cutting for the new kennels, ACWP Board President Christina Cochran says there’s a great need for additional funding, both public and private. “We are always grateful for donations of food, supplies, toys, blankets, and financial gifts. Year-end giving is something our organization can always use, and donations to our Hinton Area Foundation ACWP Fund ensure recurring annual funds for the future.” To donate to the Humane Society’s endowment fund, please mail checks made out to Hinton Area Foundation to PO Box 217, Hinton, WV 25951. Memo Line: ACWP Fund.
The Humane Society thanks the community for the outpouring of support to help the Sheriff’s Department open and operate the new kennels at the Summers County Recycling Center, for generous sponsorships of events from the new golf tournament to benefit the Humane Society to our outreach at Railroad Days and other local events.
“We’ve helped care for a lot of dogs this year and we go through a lot of food and treats. We are always happy to receive donations from food drives at area businesses and organizations, and we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.”
