Area society seeks help for the SPCA

The CSRA Vegetarian Society (CSRAVS) has teamed up with the Aiken SPCA to recruit volunteers for the SPCA's animal welfare and protection programs.

Members of CSRAVS recently attended an orientation session at the SPCA's no-kill shelter on Wire Road. There they took a tour, made friends with dozens of homeless animals and signed up for volunteer opportunities ranging from dog walking to cat socializing to fundraising.

Sean Woods, founder and organizer of CSRAVS, said the Vegetarian Society is trying to help spread the word about the SPCA's need for volunteers. He said the orientation session was advertised by e-mail to the more than 100 CSRAVS members.

"CSRAVS has a base of people who are very committed, and a lot of them are interested in animal welfare issues," he said. "At the same time, we knew that the SPCA really needs volunteers. It seemed like a win-win for everybody."

Gary Willoughby, executive director of the SPCA, agreed.

"We appreciate the interest," he said. "It's really great of the CSRAVS members to turn out. We hope we'll have more chances to work with the Vegetarian Society in the future."

Willoughby said he is a member of CSRAVS. He contacted Woods and joined the organization after reading about it in the Aiken Standard. The idea to join forces to recruit volunteers came out of that contact.

Anne Ofoje, the SPCA's volunteer coordinator, said the SPCA can use all the volunteers it can get.

"Our volunteers drop off dramatically once school starts," she said. "If you came here and walked dogs all day, that might be the only walk any one of those dogs gets that day."

She said interested individuals can help at the shelter or with offsite activities such as pet adoption events, dog washes and sales at the SPCA thrift store. The various opportunities are outlined on the volunteer application. The shelter is open to volunteers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Sunday.

Laura Blanchette, a CSRAVS member who attended the orientation, responded to the call for volunteers.

"I love animals so much. It's my religion," she said. "And there are never enough people to do the work that needs to be done."

Woods said CSRAVS is developing a list of other Aiken organizations with volunteer opportunities that will be circulated to its membership.

CSRAVS is recruiting volunteers to participate in the Hunger Awareness Walk at the Aiken County Public Library on Sept. 12; the walk will benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank.

"There are lots of great causes in Aiken," Woods said. "We're trying to help where we can."

For information concerning CSRAVS and its volunteer recruitment program, contact Woods at csravegetariansociety@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the SPCA directly can call Ofoje at 648-6363.