Pocono News Section

Animal Shelter Needs Help

Animal Shelter Needs Help - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 @ 04:30pm EDT
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Monroe County's only pet shelter shut down nine months ago. A group called the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM) plans to reopen it next month.

Board of Directors member Marie Grimm said, "Already we've had hundreds - a lot of calls in regards to people needing to turn their animals in."

Managers expect to be overwhelmed with dozens of dogs on the day they open - but they only have 18 cages. Grimm said, "One of the challenges is to have enough space for the animals that we do take in."

She said the shelter needs more foster families. Those are families who can temporarily take care of dogs until they're adopted. Alice Brian has been a dog foster mom for ten years. She said,"It's just very rewarding to help another living creature." She also said, "It doesn't take too much. It's easy to do really."

She's fostering a dog named Rex for now but once he finds a forever home, she'll welcome another temporary family member because she can't stand to see any animal left out in the cold. She explained, "They really need help right now."

To learn more about AWSOM or to volunteer visit or call 570-421-3647.