I write because volunteers are needed at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. I am there three to four times a week to socialize cats and could use extra hands. Cats are in individual cubbies and need volunteers to take them out for a brush or petting session.

We always need help with laundry and washing dishes and dog walking. Of particular need are long-term volunteers that can come in several times a week to socialize cats. It is very rewarding to go from meeting a fearful cat to seeing that cat become someone’s pet.

Just 15 minutes a day or every other day makes a great difference to a scared cat. Twinkle comes to mind. She was a young, small Tuxedo cat featured in one of our Pet of the Month ads. Her adoptive family does not know that two months prior nobody could approach Twinkle. She was as scared as could be and needed socialization to relearn to trust our kind.

Socialization includes taking individual cats to the showroom on a regular basis. It is very important for cats to feel comfortable there, otherwise when shown there they are stressed and appear unadoptable. Ralph is just becoming used to the room after a month of taking him there three to four times a week, 15 minutes at a time.

The Humane Society has a time-tested volunteer training session. After learning the basics volunteers may come in at regularly scheduled times or whenever time allows, such as during a lunch hour. Interested people may visit pethavenlane.org for more information or email Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Thompson at volunteer@pethavenlane.org. Our number is 626-3491.

My hope is a few readers may step up to a very meaningful experience.

Laura Santini-Smith

Augusta