Volunteering at the Chilton County Humane Society gives you the warm fuzzies, pun intended.

Most volunteers “work” by playing with the animals, taking the dogs on walks, and just having the pets spend some time with humans. The few minutes of socialization makes a big difference in the animals, Murphy said.

Given the society’s limited staff and high volume of animals, there’s only so much time that can be given to each animal on a given day, Murphy said. There’s where volunteers can help make a big difference.

“Volunteers serve a very important role here. They help make the animals stay more pleasant,” Murphy said. “It (interaction with humans) makes the animals more adoptable.”

Some volunteers also help with cleaning and other grounds work.

Murphy said about 15-20 people currently volunteer on a regular basis. School and scout groups also help occasionally.

Volunteer William Scarbrough, who has adopted dogs from the humane society, said he enjoys walking or playing ball with the dogs.

“I just love animals,” said Scarbrough, a corrections officer at the Chilton County Jail.

The humane society is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. But volunteers can help during hours when the society isn’t open to the public.

Minors can volunteer, but generally a parent must accompany younger children. There is some paperwork to be completed before volunteers can begin to work.

For more information, call the humane society at 755-9170 or stop by their office on Shade Tree Drive in Clanton. Or go online to chiltoncountyhumanesociety.org or facebook.com/chiltoncohumanesociety.