TOLEDO, Ohio — After more than 10 years of service, Cassie Bloomfield, Community Outreach Coordinator at Lucas County Canine Care and Control says holidays are always the toughest time of year at the animal shelter.
"It doesn't get easier around the holiday time for me. It’s just a little bit more sad for them but we always go that extra mile,” said Bloomfield.
LC4 says they do try to make things a bit more homey for the animals around this time of year.
“It’s like extra sad that they have to spend another holiday without a family so we make it a little bit extra cozy and comfy with extra blankets and toys, comfort items, special treats,” said Bloomfield. “Treats are a big one for them, to kind of make that experience for them a little bit more comfortable."
The shelter remains staffed 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
And even in severe weather conditions, the shelter has a group of volunteers who come to walk and play with the dogs to keep their minds and bodies active.
And they are always looking for more volunteers.
"On a day like today, the people that we need are going to be people who are willing to brave the cold themselves and come down to the shelter,” said Anna Brogan, Community Engagement Manager for LC4.
Brogan says seeing animals in a kennel versus a home is one of the toughest parts of her job
"This is a emotionally heavy job and to see dogs in their kennels everyday all day its really hard,” said Brogan.
The Lucas County Canine Care and Control shelter has over 170 canines spending Christmas there this year, and because of that they are thankful for their volunteers.
"The volunteers that come during these conditions they are the dedicated ones."
Click here for more information about volunteering at LC4.
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