Most people like the company of a furry friend but don’t think about the ones in need.  Freshman Ellie Blankenhagen volunteers a few hours of her summer to help out shelter cats.

Blankenhagen has been volunteering at the Anderson Animal Shelter located in South Elgin for about four years.  The shelter has about 125 cats of all different ages, colors and types, along with many dogs.

On summer weekends, Blankenhagen helps out with almost all the aspects of these cat’s lives.  She feeds them, plays with them and cleans cages for two to three hours at a time.

“I like animals so I like to help them.” said Blankenhagen

The shelter’s Junior volunteer program is open to ages 13 to 16 and is an opportunity for the volunteers to socialize the cats to humans and play with them.

Jeff Pal, Director of Volunteer services, explained that the animal shelter provides food, shelter, care and as much personal time with the animals; but the volunteers are needed to give them more attention and to thoroughly socialize them.  “You are just giving them the attention they need,” said Pal.

The shelter has had 179 Junior volunteers so far this year,

The shelter has adoptable pets and programs ranging from dog training classes to fundraisers and educational classes, for more information visit www.http://www.andersonanimalshelter.org.