MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Marines stationed aboard Cherry Point spent Saturday morning helping care for homeless animals at the Carteret County Humane Society in Newport.
The Marines were split into three groups when they arrived at the animal shelter. They spent the morning cleaning cages and kennels, doing dishes, feeding the animals and walking the dogs.
“Having volunteers helps out a lot here,” said Rachel E. Jackson, Carteret County Humane Society employee. “The staff here does not always get the chance to walk the dogs as often as they need to, so when volunteers come, the dogs get to walk and socialize with other people.”
Jackson said more Marines have been taking the initiative to help at the shelter recently.
“The volunteers have been coming here since we opened, but the last few years more volunteers have been coming,” said Jackson. “I think the people who come here to volunteer feel like they are partaking in helping to find homes for these animals.”
The Marines said they enjoyed the time they spent with the animals.
Once the chores were done, the helpers were allowed to let dogs out of the kennels and walk them. When they walked into the kennels with leashes in hand, the dogs jumped up and showed their excitement to get some exercise. The Marines made sure every dog got a chance to run around outside of their cages.
“It is important for us to volunteer and give back to the community, especially those (near) large military instillations, because they do so much for us,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua A. Litscher, an aviation information system specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14.
The dozen Marines who participated hailed from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, Marine Attack Squadron 223, MALS-14 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.
