Local animal shelter offers CSER opportunities for Liberty students

A little known CSER opportunity provided by Friends of Campbell County Animal Control (FOAC) enables students to care for animals and earn their hours.

FOAC is a nonprofit organization that works alongside Campbell County Animal Control to provide daily essentials to pets in need throughout the county.

Barbe Shackelford, the founder of FOAC, started the organization because she noticed a need within the community. While the organization is separate from Campbell County Animal Control, FOAC works to assist the county in caring for animals by donating their time, energy and finances.    

Shackelford grew up on a farm in Iowa where she was surrounded by animals throughout her entire childhood, and she believes this is where her passion for the health and well-being of animals began. The dogs and cats that grew up on her farm did not receive the veterinary care that she would have liked.

“I just always thought at some point I’m going to take care of my pets,” Shackelford said. 

FOAC is completely run by volunteers who have the same heart for animals as Shackelford and is funded by donors. Shackelford uses social media to spread awareness and raise money for the nonprofit, but volunteers are truly the backbone of the operation. In addition to adults with time to volunteer and elderly individuals, volunteers at FOAC include college students.

Volunteering for FOAC looks different from person to person. Shackelford said that some volunteers walk dogs, play with kittens or even do laundry. Students who volunteer can work during the shelter’s open hours or assist in the shelter’s fundraising events.

“Mostly it’s dog walking. But it’s also socializing the puppies and the kittens,” Shackelford said.

Shackelford is looking for more Liberty University students who need CSER hours to work with FOAC. She expressed her appreciation for college students who have the same passion that she does, and she truly enjoys seeing them thrive within FOAC.

Currently, there are three students volunteering with FOAC. Last year there were 15. The number of student volunteers varies greatly depending on the semester, but Shackelford said that the organization values the work ethic of student volunteers.

“They (Liberty students) are young and strong, and they will take on anything. They always will do what we ask. I like it because when I say, ‘Would you mind doing this?’ they say, ‘Oh, I’d be happy to do that,’” said Shackelford.

Shackelford said that since the pandemic, there has been in increase in animals brought to Campbell County Animal Shelter. During the peak COVID-19 years, families adopted dogs, but they are now realizing that they may not be able to care for them as expected. The cost of having a pet has also greatly increased. 

When considering price of food, veterinary care and other necessities, having a pet is an expensive decision.

All these factors created a greater need for volunteers to work alongside FOAC. Along with volunteers, the nonprofit is working to raise funds for a new building to replace the current space that Campbell County Animal Control uses to house animals in its care.

For information on how to volunteer for or donate to FOAC, visit www.friendsofcampbellcounty.org.

Mullet is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.