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Photo courtesy by Lisa Broz. Becca McClain, Rabun Paws 4 Life shelter director and manager of animal health (left) and 2-year-old Jentry McClain play with “Hops” at the shelter. “Hops” is a one-year-old German short-haired pointer.
The local nonprofit Rabun Paws 4 Life welcomes volunteers who are animal lovers and want to help care for the furry friends at the shelter through a new program, “foster from afar.”
With many animals up for adoption at the facility, it can sometimes be overwhelming to visit and stroll through to find man’s best friend that’s the perfect fit.
Rabun Paws 4 Life is giving community members the opportunity to volunteer and “foster from afar” and make it a New Year’s resolution to commit to an animal and change its life.
Everett Lampros, public relations manager for Paws 4 Life, said the idea is to establish a one-on-one connection between a person and one of the animals at the shelter. Lampros explained it as an “extension of the shelter.”
A person interested in “fostering from afar” can contact Rabun Paws 4 Life and commit to helping an animal.
Staff members will then pair that person with one of the animals. This person would then follow that animal from that day on until it’s adopted. The person would visit the animal at the shelter to walk and exercise the animal, play with, and give it love and attention.
“Socializing is one of the most important things,” Lampros said about the significance of the program. He said this program can provide “enrichment and nourishment” to the lives of both the person and the animal.
Ara Joyce, who is responsible for volunteerism on the Paws 4 Life Board of Directors, said this program creates an environment for the person and the animal that is not overwhelming. Joyce said it’s a great way to encourage more volunteers at the shelter.
Joyce cautioned that the “foster from afar” program is a commitment, but that the staff would work around an individual’s schedule as needed.
For more information about the “foster from afar” program, call 706-782-5422 or email elampros@rabunpaws4life.com
“The mission of Rabun Paws 4 Life is to make a positive difference in Rabun County by providing a no-kill animal control and shelter to care for and protect animals from abuse, neglect and abandonment. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards possible for the humane and compassionate treatment of all animals,” according to the organization’s website. “Our vision is a forever home for every cat and dog in our care.”
Dogs and cats available for adoption can be seen on page A10.