What’s it like to live in a pet shelter?
Volunteers with the Shawano County Humane Society are joining others from around the country April 18 for a Shelter Slumber Pawty to raise awareness for the shelter.
For 24 hours, they will experience shelter life firsthand and raise funds for animals in need. Every donation helps provide food, medical care and a second chance for homeless pets.
Participants will actually sleep inside the dog kennels and the cat rooms.
“The purpose of the slumber pawty is twofold, to help cover the growing costs of care for the shelter while also giving our community a better understanding of what life is like for animals living inside kennel — 24 hours a day,” said Tara Kelliher, who volunteers at the humane society. “When we learned about this nationwide event, it felt like a meaningful and creative way to not only generate support but also bring awareness to the daily reality our animals experience.”
On a normal day when the shelter closes and the lights go down, the animals inside are still awake. What happens overnight is often witnessed through cameras in the humane society.
Many dogs and cats sit quietly for hours, staring toward the door, waiting for someone to walk through it.
They wait for footsteps in the hallway; they wait for voice they recognize.
Many of the animals pace their kennels over and over again.
Some become so overwhelmed with stress that they become physically sick. They are frightened, confused and trying to cope.
Cats often meow throughout the night.
“We currently have eight people committed to spending the night and are prepared to host up to 12 participants,” Kelliher said. “Volunteers are actively working to secure donations for food, drinks and other needs to help make the event a success.”
Residents can support the slumber pawty through monetary donations; meals for participants and staff; donations of prizes, merchandise or giveaways; and in-kind donations for the shelter.
Anyone interested in supporting the slumber pawty in these ways can reach out to fundraising@shawanocountyhumanesociety.org.
The Shawano County Humane Society, 1290 Jaycee Court, Shawano, provides treatment and care to animals needing protection, returns lost pets to their owners, provides education to the public and places unwanted pets in new homes. The nonprofit, no-kill shelter operates on donations and fundraisers.
The shelter is always accepting donations to support general operations, and it maintains updated wishlists on its website so community members can see the most immediate needs. Visit https://www.shawanocountyhumanesociety.org for details.
To donate directly to the slumber pawty, visit https://mtyc.co/sqliaf.
The Shawano County Humane Society has several dogs available for adoption — including Parker, a 3-year-old male poodle/miniature mix. (Contributed)
