Volunteer animal shelters do a lot to help pets find safe and loving homes in our local communities, and the Panora P.E.T.S. shelter in particular helped more animals than it ever has in 2013.

P.E.T.S. volunteer Linda Shelley says the shelter estimates it helped provide care or find homes for around 500 animals last year, which is quite the number for such a small shelter.

“I can’t say enough about those volunteers that go out to all the different locations and adoption events that we do.  If it were not for our volunteers going to these events and promoting everything like we do, those animals wouldn’t have homes.  So it’s a good feeling at the end of the year to know that we really did a good job and we really did what we’re out there to do.”

Shelley says Panora P.E.T.S. adoption event participation was also a highlight of 2013, with their trip to the Des Moines Home & Garden show being at the top of the list.

“Every animal we took to that, we adopted out, and so that’s pretty amazing.  We have found that the more events that we can get out to, the more people we reach in different areas, and then more animals go home.”

Shelley adds that the shelter is thankful for the many donations it received in 2013, and she hopes that will continue in the year ahead, especially considering the shelter remains overflowed with pets.

Shelley says the shelter currently has 20 dogs in foster homes and about 90 cats and kittens that are in need of adoption.  Any local residents interested in adopting can contact Panora P.E.T.S. at 641-757-9570.