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The Butler County Junior Humane Society is looking for members. You could help!

Butler County Humane Society Vice President Kimberly Matthews is the director of the program and said it was formed in 2017.

“We never had a Junior Humane Society and we wanted to do something for youth ages 12-18,” she said. “We currently have 15 students. We ask that they have at least a C average and are involved in one school activity — soccer, cheerleading — whatever. They must do community service to be involved.”

Matthews said interested students could stop by the Shell Depot and pick up a permission slip. The Shell Depot is located at 939 Fort Dale Rd., and Matthews can be contacted at (334) 437-2150 for more information.

“They must love animals and know that spay/neuter is a key concern,” Matthews said. “They can volunteer at events like Bark in the Park. They’ll work events with us. That’s how they get their community service.”

Matthews said a meeting is planned for 10 a.m. on Aug. 10 at the Old Searcy Schoolhouse.

“We’ve got some great kids,” Matthews said. “We’re hoping to get more. Last year, Jazmine Stroud won our scholarship award. She’s going to LBW (Lurleen B. Wallace Community College) this year.”

According to the Junior Humane Society Mission Statement, volunteers must be willing to help with the following:

• Must be mature, love animals and willing to handle them safely and humanely;
• Learn and demonstrate principles that help educate individuals in the community about responsible pet ownership;
• Spread the word about the spay/neuter hotline to help reduce dog and cat overpopulation;
• Be aware of needs and provide help and care to lost, abandoned, abused and needy animals;
• Must volunteer two hours a month to the Butler County Junior Humane Society, plus two hours per month with another school or community club commitment;
• A scholarship of $500 will be awarded annually, for post high school education/training to an eligible, outstanding high school senior Butler County Junior Humane Society volunteer who has earned at least a C+ or better grade average in school.

“Volunteers commit to offering different ideas that will keep adorable pets from being put to sleep; help to find forever homes for cats, dogs and other pets that come in to be cared for; worked at pet education, awareness and adoption events; and participate in other group’s events whenever possible, to promote humanity and compassion for animals,” the Mission Statement reads.

“An important goal is raising funds to help Second Chance, a no-kill animal shelter in Butler County, and a safe place for adoptable animals,” Matthews concluded. “The Butler County Jr. Humane Society does not receive any government funding and depends solely on the good will and kindness of individuals and companies.”

Funds raised also go to help defray costs of events attended by the student volunteers.

“We’re taking them to Safari Park in October and in June we’ll go to the Montgomery Zoo,” Matthews concluded. “These events are paid for by car washes and donations.”