John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
John Grogan, the author of Marley & Me, once wrote: "Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them."
It's an unequivocal and innate ability for our dogs and cats to bring a smile to the faces of their favorite humans. We all have stories to tell about family pets: from being outrun by your dog who takes pride in his speed to a family feline who brushes against your leg when it's time for dinner.
Maybe you're in a position where you are ready for that friendship once more – a special bond that can only be found between two kind souls. Look no further than the Suwannee Valley Humane Society.
The Suwannee Valley Humane Society is home to about 30 dogs and 25 cats … a rough and approximate estimate of the current population at the Lee shelter. And for over 35 years, shelter owners and volunteers have loved each furry tenant as their own until they were adopted into a loving home. What makes the Humane Society shelter special is the fact that it is a no-kill shelter … but, that doesn't excuse the fact that a majority of the animals have spent their days in a kennel longer than intended.
Barbara Moore, employee at the Suwannee Valley Humane Society states that she has a number of dogs and cats who have called the shelter their home for a number of years – including one dog and cat who have both been a part of the intake population since 2012.
Because of this, their kennel has become their home and their territory, causing the animals to become stand-offish in nature when approached by an onlooker searching for a friend. Sometimes, this has caused those animals to be overlooked due to their personality, Moore states, but she tells those looking for a pet, "Don't let that dog scare you. Let me bring them outside of their territory." "Because to them, that's their territory."
"Some of these dogs have been here for a few years and they may think this is their home, but they really need more attention and room to run, play and a family to love them," said Moore. "Come adopt an older dog. They need a home too."
It's understandable that some are unable to adopt shelter pets due to an inability to provide adequate care and love. However, donations are always accepted at the Suwannee Valley Humane Society to help with care, control and upkeep of the animals and the shelter facilities.
Not all donations have to be monetary. As an alternative, the shelter lists a number of items that can be donated on their online wish list, which can be found under the support tab on their website, www.suwanneevalleyhumanesociety.us. Non-monetary donations can include food, treats, towels, new or used leashes, collars or carriers.
Because of COVID-19, the shelter has made multiple changes to their operations, including their operating hours, which have been shifted to Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The thrift store, the proceeds of which, benefit the shelter, is currently closed indefinitely, and the shelter is currently not accepting new volunteers at this time.
The Suwannee Valley Humane Society is located at 1156 SE Bisbee Loop, in Lee, less than a mile north of Interstate 10. Call (850) 973-9904 to meet a new friend today!