When I was asked to write a paragraph on why I foster and volunteer for ACCT, I was completely blank. Only one word came to my mind: selfless. I think volunteering and fostering is full of many emotions. Being on the other end of the leash, walking a shelter dog and you experience that moment when they look up at you and see their eyes filled with admiration and appreciation, just for taking them out of their kennels and away from all the barking and scary smells of the shelter, is the best feeling you can ever imagine. These animals depend so much on the volunteers to help them cope with shelter life. Without them, they pretty much would live in their kennels until adopted or if it’s over-crowed, their death. There are so many ways you can help the animals. You can walk them, help with stuffing kongs to help enrich them while in their kennels, taking photographs, helping with a training class, transport, laundry and off site events. If you just can’t go to the shelter then fostering would be another great option. You would be saving two lives!! That animal gets out and the one waiting in the back gets moved up in it’s place. There are no words to describe taking a shelter animal into your home and giving them the love and respect they deserve. To be honest, it’s not all that easy but the big reward is knowing you saved that animal and because of you, they will have a chance at life!!! I hope by reading this, you understand how much these wonderful shelter animals need you!!!