CNU Students Give Back to SPCA

As part of Christopher Newport University’s 5^th annual 2012 Day of Service, over 475 CNU students, faculty and staff spent part of the day in over 50 Newport News organizations, donating their time and giving back to the community. Seven of those students took a trip to the Peninsula SPCA.

They arrived at eight AM sharp and were prepped for their task by volunteer coordinator Darcy Morel. Large carts filled with newspapers appeared before them. Their job: to unfold them properly and create a reserve of newspapers. The newspapers are used to line each animal’s cage in the SPCA and have to be changed several times a day, so getting them ready for use is of the utmost importance.

The reserve pile was created because the Daily Press has stopped printing in Newport News and has moved to Richmond, so the SPCA’s supply of newspapers is running low. Help was needed to ensure the pile was stocked to its fullest, and the CNU volunteers worked hard all morning and did an amazing job! Afterwards, they were given a tour of the facility and got a feel for being around wagging tails and happy cats!

The Peninsula SPCA is always in need of more volunteers. Here’s what you need to know :

•        SPCA stands for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
•          The Peninsula SPCA is the sole provider for homeless animals in the Peninsula
•          Their mission: to advocate and provide for the humane care and welfare of all animals and find a loving home for every orphaned pet in the community. 
•       The Peninsula SPCA also has an Petting Zoo.

Here’s what YOU can do to help:

•          Join the Animal Care Team if you are interested in working with cats, dogs, and barnyard animals and providing care.  You must be 20 years old to handle dogs.
•          Join the Adoption Team to assist potential adopters in choosing a match, welcoming guests to the SPCA, and taking pictures of the pets to put online
•          Become a Foster Care Provider and take home a pet for a few weeks who is not quite ready to be adopted and give them the care that they need
•          Join the Shelter Spirit and Auxiliary Team and work at special off-site events, fundraising events, and assist in teaching animal care and service to the community.

Your help is needed every day. If volunteering at the SPCA is something you’re interested in, visit http://www.peninsulaspca.org/newvolunteer.htm today. Every volunteer makes a difference in an animal’s life. Everyday matters.