Popcorn Park Volunteers' Care Helps Increase Adoption Rate

The Associated Humane Societies/Popcorn Park Zoo animal shelter has a group of 30 volunteers who care for the dogs and cats up for adoption at the facility in an effort to help encourage more adoptions — and it seems to be working.

"Our animal shelter volunteer program is fantastic and was started a little over two years ago with the intent of getting the many dogs in our shelter walked, exercised and socialized to increase their adoptability," said Sandy Hickman, a Popcorn Park employee who is in charge of the volunteers.  "Both the dogs and cats are extremely happy and well-socialized since the volunteer program has been going, and our adoption rate has greatly increased."

The shelter houses from 70 to 90 dogs and 150 to 200 cats at any given time, according to Hickman.  The volunteers duties' include walking the dogs and exercising them. They also socialize with the cats, brush them and give them attention.

"We started the program with the intent of just walking dogs, but it really took off and we now have volunteer fundraisers, which we organize to help raise funds for things like a giant exercise pen for our dogs, a walking path, supplies for our shelter," Hickman said.

The volunteers hold fundraisers, such as bake sales and flea markets. They also take dogs to adoption days and community events, she said.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old or older and range in age from 18 to 60s. They must attend an orientation before starting and must read and follow several rules, policies and procedures. 

Hickman had been a volunteer before becoming a Popcorn Park employee. She said she and Nancy Puleo came from the county shelter in Manahawkin to start up the program in 2010. Puleo still volunteers and comes about once a week to walk dogs.

In addition to the shelter volunteers, there are eight zoo volunteers called the Popcorn Park Patrol.

"It was just started a couple of months ago, and the only duties that the zoo volunteers have is to patrol the zoo to make sure that visitors are treating our animals and our facility with respect," Hickman said.

Popcorn Park Zoo was established in 1977 as a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals and birds.  There are currently more than 200 animals housed at the zoo.

The zoo has about 40 paid employees who have a good relationship with the volunteers and greatly appreciate what they do for the shelter pets, said Hickman. 

"The animal shelter volunteers are extremely important to our dogs and cats that are available for adoption," said Hickman.  "Getting one on one attention from the volunteers, interacting with people, getting exercise and playtime, has made our animals much happier, more relaxed and much more adoptable."

To find out how to become a volunteer, call Hickman at 609-693-1900.