While students continue to involve themselves in on-campus activities, Wake County’s animal center is barking for help. The Wake County Animal Care, Control & Adoption Center, located just off US-64 Business northeast of Raleigh, recently had its groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion that will be complete in 2010. Though the center has not yet released blueprints of the new addition, Jennifer Weideman, dog-walking team captain at the center, said the new expansion will provide air conditioning, increased animal holding areas and much-needed floor space. However, according to Weideman, the 5,000-square-foot addition isn’t the only thing the shelter wants. ”The addition has been a long time coming,” Weideman said. “With the addition, we’re getting a lot more opportunities and looking for more day help.” The center offers a variety of different jobs and tasks for interested volunteers. Among those listed on its Web site are pet photographers, adoption assistants, clean team members, off-site event assistants, dog walkers and “cat cuddlers” — volunteers who nurture and socialize with the shelter’s cats. The Web site also indicates that the center receives over 9,000 pets each year, which causes it to rely heavily on volunteers to administer care and attention to shelter animals. Several students from the United Methodist Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry worked as first-time volunteers at the animal center and talked about their initial experience. ”I like getting to play with all the animals,” Evelyn Curtis, a sophomore in chemistry, said. ”They’re so cute! I’d definitely [volunteer] again — I know the animals need help.” Nicholas King, a senior in engineering, said he enjoyed his time at the Center. ”I’ve really enjoyed walking the different dogs,” King said. “I’d definitely come back to volunteer. It’s a good way to help out.” Weideman said the volunteering application process is simple. ”All people have to do is [attend] one orientation session, and there’s an application online,” Weideman said. ”Volunteer orientations are held twice a month.” Weideman said there are also many other opportunities to help out besides working with animals. ”We’re also looking for people with marketing experience, Web experience or [people] that want to help out with service projects,” Weideman said. So, if you’re looking for any kind of volunteer opportunities, then the Wake County Animal Adoption Center is the place to look. 

“We’re always looking for more volunteers, even if people just want to come out and visit the dogs,” Weideman said. “We get some all-star pets, and they just need a second chance.”