CARE Humane Society shares impawtant pet care tips

CARE Humane Society shares impawtant pet care tips

The staff at CARE Humane Society is dedicated to helping college students understand the responsibilities of pet care. 

CARE staff members and Auburn students shared some advice about their experiences with CARE, as well as their experiences living with animals. Their mission statement is to advance humane treatment and responsible ownership of companion animals through community education, animal sheltering and adoption and alleviation of animal suffering.

“We do our best to stand by our mission statement for all of the pets of the county and some of our surrounding communities,” said TJ McCullough, CARE’s director. 

The humane society’s main programs focus on important topics like spay and neuter services, pet care basics, microchipping and responsible pet ownership. These programs aim to prevent pet overpopulation, increase pet safety and help owners create a safe, healthy environment for their animals. 

Mitchell Knighten | Photographer

A dog wakes up from a good nap at the CARE Humane Society on Oct. 31, 2024

“We have some programs such as our youth program in which college students can get involved, whether it’s by volunteering, fostering pets or participating in events to help educate others,” McCullough said.

For college students considering getting a pet, the CARE staff recommends starting with fostering. 

“This gives them an understanding of what all it involves and they also need to do research on veterinary and pet supply care prior to [adopting]. Many don’t realize how expensive it is,” McCullough said.

She continued by saying that college students living in dorms or apartments also face unique challenges in caring for pets. Smaller living spaces can be difficult for animals that need room to roam, and behaviors like barking or scratching can cause issues with neighbors.

“CARE Humane Society does not have extra funding to support college students who may need assistance with pet care or fostering during peak school periods,” McCullough said.

Ellie Hubbard,senior in exercise science, was drawn to the CARE Humane Society after being inspired to foster a dog.

“I have always loved animals and loved being a part of helping the community around me,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard explained that after seeing her friend foster a dog last year, she decided to foster this year. Hubbard saw a CARE post about kennels being full and having no space for dogs, and the humane society desperately needed people to foster.

Hubbard explained that she knew she wanted to foster with CARE, and the application process was simple.

“After I got approved, it was pretty simple emailing with their foster coordinator and setting up an appointment to meet a dog,” Hubbard said.

One of the sweetest moments Hubbard has had while fostering is seeing her foster dog, Jabba, learn to truly be a dog and feel relaxed. 

“Getting to see him figure out how to chase a stick and bring it back to me was so rewarding. Being able to see him come out of his shell was so cool and I knew it meant he felt safe with me,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard faced a challenge when Jabba had a medical issue.

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“He had an issue with one of his eyes and I could tell something wasn’t right. I emailed CARE a picture and they responded promptly saying that I could bring him in for the staff to check it out,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said that they got him in quickly and provided her with medication for his eye. The staff explained in detail what they thought was wrong and how to administer the medicine.

“I get up way earlier than normal in the mornings to make sure the dog has plenty of time to eat breakfast, digest and go for a long walk before I leave for the day. Another thing that helps and has worked well for me is a very long walk and playtime before bed,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said that these activities before bed ensure that pets sleep throughout the night.

“If you start to get frustrated over them chewing on things, making a lot of noise … they’re probably bored. Taking them out for exercise, or just sitting outside helps them so much,” Hubbard said.

Catherine Della-Manna, Auburn alumna, had a roommate that adopted from the CARE Humane Society.

“All of us collectively agreed we wanted a cat, and adoption felt like the perfect idea. We wanted to help rescue a cat and give it a good home,” Della-Manna said.

The staff aimed to make the adoption process as easy as possible. 

Della-Manna encouraged people to consider adopting a pet from CARE.

“Adopting a cat really brought me and my roommates closer together,” Della-Manna said.

Della-Manna emphasized that students have to make sure that they are living in a pet-friendly complex and that roommates are on board with adopting a pet before they adopt. 

“The changes in my roommate’s routine were minimal. She would clean the litter box multiple times a week and buy cat food when we got groceries,” Della-Manna said.

This was her first time living with a pet and it has made a postive impact on her.

“I loved having a cat in the house. I can’t imagine what our time in the house would’ve been like if we didn’t adopt a cat. He became part of our family,” Della-Manna said.

For more information on the CARE Humane Society and the programs they offer, visit their website. Through their resources and support, the CARE Humane Society seeks to encourage students and community members alike to be responsible pet owners.


Lizzie McGlynn | Culture Writer


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