Every high school in the county requires that you have 60 hours of community service in order to graduate. One reason for doing community service is to motivate people to make an impact in a chosen area. It doesn’t have to be such a drag to get hours done. People may even discover that community service is a worthwhile experience if they bother looking

Students should look no further than the Salinas Animal Shelter (SAS) for a fun and rewarding way to earn hours. SAS offers great volunteer and community service opportunities for everyone sixteen and up. Cindy Burnham, manger of SAS, said she is making an effort to get the shelter’s name out because many people don’t know Salinas even has a shelter. Burnham pointed out that she only has eight staff members currently working at the shelter, so the more volunteers, the better.

Basic short-term tasks like walking the dogs, feeding the animals, and cleaning the cages are things volunteers can do to earn hours. Most positions at the shelter require a time commitment of at least two hours a week. Just going in for an hour or two a couple days a week will help the shelter immensely. If you enjoy being around animals, chances are you’ll have fun and at the same time receive hours. The overall mood of the animals will improve once interaction begins with them. As heartbreaking as it is to see dogs, cats, and rabbits locked up all day, giving the animals love can make them feel less neglected.

The Monterey county SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) also has a community service program available for teens. Junior volunteers may choose from a variety of volunteer positions with the assistance of an adult partner, including working directly with the animals, assisting with shelter tasks, and many other on or off-site activities.

Another shelter that is located in Salinas is the Monterey County Animal Shelter. This shelter does not take volunteers younger than eighteen years old.

For students who decide to take up this opportunity and don’t know how to get to the shelter, follow Highway. 68 to 144 Hitchcock Rd. The Salinas Animal Shelter is a white building at the end of the road. Do not mistake the Monterey County Animal Shelter for the Salinas Animal Shelter because they are located right next door. The SPCA is located at 1002 Highway 68, across from Laguna Seca. For any further questions, call SAS at (831) 758-7285 or the SPCA at (831) 422-4721.