I've always heard that volunteering at an animal shelter was super rewarding. I volunteered at my local animal shelter back home for about two weeks when I was younger, so I didn't get too much out of it besides being excited that I was always around dogs.

Now that I am volunteering at The Humane Society of West Alabama, a NO KILL shelter, here in Tuscaloosa just about every day, I can say that I feel fulfilled and proud to be a volunteer.

Every day I wake up at 8:00 a.m., eat my breakfast, take my dog out and drive 15 minutes to the "cathouse" shelter for the HSWA to help out. I'm assigned a room (I typically work with the kitten room, eek!) and then I sweep, mop, scoop out litter boxes, change out blankets and beds, and of course, play with the babies. Currently, there are eight cats in the kitten room.

They range from a few weeks old to almost a year. The kitten room is so much fun because they're ready for attention at ALL times. My favorite is Carlos because he reaches his arms up asking for a hug EVERY DAY. Y'all, I can't.

The cool thing about the HSWA is that all of the cats are free to roam. You never know if you'll find one of the cats in a cat "tree", in a bed, laying in a litter box (yes, it's a thing) or just curled up in a window sill.There's also a patio room for the cats, which we call the catio. Get it?!

I haven't started fully volunteering at the "doghouse" yet, but the few times I've been so far has been exhilarating. These dogs usually come from places of abuse or neglectful situations, and they are SO HAPPY to see you every time.

I take them out in their particular playgroups, pick up poop, have fun in the sandbox, you name it! Once it gets hot enough, I can't wait to bring them a kid pool to splash around in! The HSWA also makes it a point to work on crate and house training while the animals are there.

www.humanesocietyofwa.org and fill out an adoption application. Adopt, don't shop!