Arlington Heights pet shelter needs volunteers

Do you enjoy sleeping in till 8, 9, 10 a.m. on your mornings off?

Are you a recent early retiree that relishes the thought of never setting a morning alarm?

Forget those foolish notions, because I am here to super-guilt those thoughts away.

The bottom line is that The Buddy Foundation is in dire need of morning volunteers anytime from 7:30-11 a.m., especially Saturdays. Why Saturdays? This is a busy adoption day and a complex cleaning day to accomplish everything we let slide during the week for lack of time.

We strive to keep our shelter clean and healthy. That, unfortunately, means bleach and sanitizer are our best aids to accomplish this goal. We cannot clean with just anything at an animal shelter and expect a good result.

Just think of the animals that would not get a home if the public and the health department said our shelter was dirty or smelly. And those of you who have visited us know that is not the case.

In fact, everyone is surprised how clean and beautiful the shelter is. The reality is, it does not get that way - or stay that way - with fairy dust. It is because of the hard work by Buddy volunteers who strive to make a difference.

Our volunteers are the difference between a cold reality and a loving world. This is true because, as you know, our animals are all someone's throwaways.

Lately, Buddy seems to be most in need of volunteers on the feline side. Felines are not walked like dogs and the scooping of litter boxes seems to be endless.

If you have been thinking about volunteering, the need is urgent! Stop by and visit us. If you know someone who wants to do community service for education credits, or if you know someone that has a mandated community service, send them our way.

The need has never been so great. Cleaning is the best methodology to keep a shelter free of illness and germs. Cleaning also streamlines expenses. Cleaning supplies are certainly less expensive than medication to thwart illness.

All we ask is that you might donate two or three hours, whatever you can, to assist us in keeping the feline side clean. I promise our felines that are supercharged and friendly will help you clean by interrupting you with meows, purrs and a few trip-ups between the legs.

Cleaning will also involve chasing the resident escape artists with a can of tuna to get them back into their room. What's wrong with that scenario?

Yes, we are rewarding bad behavior, because that is all these felines have until they find their forever home. If we indulge the animals in our care, it is well deserved, given their horrible journey until they found sanctuary with Buddy.

If you are worried that you may not know your way around a multi-feline environment, we will always have someone on hand to train you and then assist you as you become part of the Buddy Family of caretakers.

If you choose to help us, the rewards will be great as you get to know all the feline personalities and their mannerisms. I promise you will enjoy the experience of giving back; however, I cannot promise you will not take home one of these gentle souls.

Thank you in advance if you are joining our cause and volunteering for Buddy's animals. And a Buddy extra thanks to the volunteers who already tirelessly help.

We acknowledge those volunteers that give us so much; they sometimes miss fun events they want to do. Every volunteer makes a huge difference in a homeless animal's life. Thank you, thank you!

Featured felines

• Angus is an orange, male tabby. Someone found him and brought him to the shelter just before closing. He spent a couple of days in our ISO rooms before being neutered. He then went into Cat Room 5.

Angus is very friendly, playful and fast. Everyone has to be on their toes going in and out of that room, as he will do his best to escape into the main cat area. He is easy enough to get back, as he doesn't mind being picked up.

When in the room with him he is just as likely to sit in your lap as he is to play with whatever toy you bring in with you. Come in and play with this fun, little guy. He might just escape with you.

• Jumper is an orange and white male. He came in with another cat, Bella, and they are both in Cat Room 2.

Jumper is somewhat shy and you may have to look for him a bit. Once you find him he really doesn't mind a little attention and although he may hiss at you, he will quickly start purring if you spend a little time petting him.

Upcoming

Bowling for Buddy: 1:30-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Arlington Lanes, 3435 N. Kennicott Ave., Arlington Heights. Prizes, raffles, games. Admission is $30 for adults; $35 at the door; $15 for kids 12 and younger.

Admission includes two games of bowling, shoes, pizza, salad, dessert and soda. The special raffle prize is a 32-inch Samsung LED TV.

For tickets, call the shelter during business hours at (847) 290-5806. For information, visit thebuddyfoundation.org. Proceeds benefit Buddy's animals.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.