Dogs are, famously, man’s best friend.  

Some of Jane Stout’s furry besties live off County Way at the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, waiting to find their forever homes.  

Stout began volunteering at the Animal Shelter in Fall 2021, though she has always been a “big dog person,” she said.  

“I’ve always had dogs, and I’ve always volunteered with rescue groups,” Stout said. 

Stout said she gets to the shelter as much as possible – multiple times a month – to hang out with the dogs, get some glamour shots of their sweet snouts and network or post online about them.  

“There are some dogs that have been here a while, so you really get to know them pretty well,” Stout said.  

She said once she gets a feel for a dog’s personality, she’ll write a profile to post on social media in the hopes of securing a forever home for the pup or to network with other rescue groups.  

Along with taking dogs out for photoshoots, networking and general exercise, Stout has also helped out with adoption events. 

“I definitely find volunteering with the Animal Shelter very rewarding, and there’s so many different things you can do also,” she said. “There’s lots of different options for you to do to get involved.” 

Volunteering at the Animal Shelter doesn’t just stop at photographing dogs.  

Some people who prefer feline friends can sign up to cuddle with cats, petting, interacting and brushing their fur. Those that thrive with deadlines and job assignments can volunteer for special events to represent the Forsyth County Animal Shelter and assist with check-ins, set-ups or clean-ups.  

Folks with a few hours to spare can also participate in the Doggy Day Out program which allows volunteers to check out a dog for the day to take on an adventure.  

Whatever your flavor of volunteering with the Animal Shelter, Stout said it’s great to be able to do it all so close to home.  

“I live here in Forsyth County, so I absolutely wanted to stay local and help the dogs here,” she said. 

At the end of the day, Stout said she knows she is making a difference in a four-legged friend’s life.  

“I love to see when the animals go to good homes,” she said. “The best thing though is when you get feedback from the people that adopted them, and they come back to the shelter to let us know how the animal’s doing or they send pictures. 

“That’s why we do what we do,” Stout said.

Looking to serve in Forsyth County? Discover volunteer opportunities near you with Senior Services, Parks & Rec, Animal Shelter and more!