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The Mower County Historical Society is in a bind and it’s hoping to get some more help by way of volunteers.

Volunteers for both the dog and cat sides of the MCHS are needed to carry out chores on a daily basis, working in what can be difficult, but also can be rewarding.

“To me, it’s almost like my happy place, because I feel like I’m doing something for a bunch of little creatures,” said cats volunteer Sheila Fretty.

Each day, volunteers perform a number of tasks that include feeding the animals, cleaning cages and kennels, cleaning litter boxes, laundry and interacting with the animals just to name a few.

On the cat side, volunteers come in once a day while over on the dog side volunteers come in twice a day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

But the trouble for both sides has been getting and keeping volunteers.

“We have received quite a few promising volunteer waivers,” said Carey Sharp, who is the dog side manager. “I’m hoping people will actually stick. That’s the hardest part is getting people to show up more than once.”

Specifically, the dog side is in need of volunteers on the weekend after a pair of long term volunteers had to step away.

Even though it has only been two, Sharp said that still has an impact.

“You lose one or two really good volunteers and that can be all the difference,” Sharp said, who added that it’s the Sunday volunteer group that seems to be struggling the most right now.

Part of the challenge of getting and retaining people for the dog side can be linked to something of a misconception. Volunteering at the MCHS is more than showing up and playing with or walking the dogs.

There is an immense amount of physical labor aside from interacting with the animals and can include cleaning up waste created by the dogs, scrubbing floors, washing kennel doors and more.

There’s also the dogs themselves, many of which come with complicated backgrounds that simply aren’t trained and can come with dynamic personalities.

That’s why dog volunteers are generally required to be 18 years or older.

“On the dog side we really need able-bodied adults that can work somewhat independently and don’t need to be told over and over again what to do,” Sharp said. “We get a lot of people that say, ‘I just want to come and walk dogs.’ We have to get the real nasty stuff done first.”

Over on the cat side, it’s more of a numbers game. With around 130 cats to care for and more coming in frequently, the sheer amount of cats can make mornings a struggle.

“It’s kind of a dire need,” Fretty said. “There are days we would like to have seven and there are days we only have like, four. It would be great if we could get three or four more volunteers that could work at least a couple days. Help us out with cleaning.”

Many of the chores that need to be done on the cat side are similar to chores on the dog side, along with the hope that volunteers can spend at least some time with the cats after the work is done.

But with a low number of volunteers, getting to spend time with the cats has been a struggle.

“All these kitties need a little attention,” Fretty said. “A little loving. They all deserve it. Most of them love it when they get attention.”

Even though the work done by the volunteers is difficult and can be stressful, current volunteers also say it can be rewarding and enjoyable.

It can mean making a difference.

“Knowing that you are keeping them safe and comfortable and healthy,” Sharp said. “We take a lot of pride during an inspection and they tell us our facility looks good. I always credit the volunteers with that.”

“Knowing that you had a little part in that because you were there,” Sharp continued. “For some of these dogs, just having that contact with volunteers is a lot.”

If you would like to become a volunteer at the Humane Society, visit: https://mchs.rescuegroups.org/info/display?PageID=19710 and fill out the waiver form.