So many times we mention the number of pets that are abandoned all across the country whether it be at shelters or simply left on the side of some deserted road. Yet rarely do we actually touch upon just what the animal has to go through once it finds itself in an often unfriendly (at least in appearance) environment surrounded by dozens of other animals all locked up in cages. It’s no wonder that many abandoned pets develop a fear of humans and often shy away when one comes near. For puppies and kittens, the sight of a person sticking their finger in between the cage bars is just not something they’ve had much experience in dealing with. The result of this fear is that many very friendly animals are never adopted because they don’t let potential owners see their wonderful personalities. Now thanks to one new program, abandoned pets are being given a chance to set aside those fears and are learning how to build those all important owner/pet bonds.

In the sleepy town of Florence, Al. the animal control manager Vinny Grosso has put together a new program that with the help of several volunteers is proving to be invaluable when it comes to getting shy dogs and cats adopted. The idea is simple, once the shelter establishes that an animal is not dangerous it is assigned to a volunteer who stops by a couple times a week and takes the animal out for walks through the community. According to Grosso, “The animal becomes more acclimated to humans. If that pet is just begging you, you're more likely to pick that animal." No training is required of the volunteer and the only thing that is asked of them is that they love the pet as if it were their own. Says Grosso “If we get a dog, shy and staying at the back of the pen shaking, doesn't have any people skills, that dog is unadoptable.” Adding that the more time the scared pet spends with people the less they are afraid and the more likely they are of being adopted. As for those animals you don’t typically see walking around the neighborhood on a leash such as kittens, a few times a week volunteers lock all the doors, open the cages, and teach them the joys of human contact. According to the volunteer organizer Cadie Palmer “They're not just a number, they're a loving creature."

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