In Utah there are alternatives to adopting pets from the Humane Society or an animal shelter. Friends of Animals Utah (FOAU) is a non-profit organization that has found homes for over 12,000 pets.
FOAU invites students and public to come and share some spare time with them. As they don’t have many requirements to volunteer, the only thing they ask for is people to be a passionate and positive animal lover.
“FOAU is a great way for any cat or dog lover to serve the less fortunate that do not have homes, but where they lack a permanent home we make up for, in the love that they deserve,” says Salt Lake Community College student and FOAU volunteer Jesse Blake.
The mission of FOAU is to rescue healthy adoptable dogs and cats from shelters throughout Utah and help them have a better home. Founded in 1990 by a group of generous volunteers, FOAU is determined to find homes for animals in need. FOAU also spays and neuters, chips and vaccinates the animals.
“It is an honor to serve these pets in Utah. The joy of seeing the relief on the faces that we rescue, to the joy of watching families find the perfect pet,” says FOAU board member Sharon Cantwell. “[It is] wonderful to have a community that is so deeply supportive of such wonderful causes like the FOAU.”
FOAU has an adoption center called Furburbia located in the Tanger Outlet Mall in Park City. They transfer them from the Rescue and Rehabilitation Ranch facility, where FOAU provide temporary homes for dogs and cats when there is no longer room at Furburbia.
FOAU puts on events for the public, especially from May through September, with their biggest annual event Miss Kitty’s Barking Ball, which takes place in September. For the rest of the year they have weekly adoptions specials.
“What I liked about working with FOAU was the assigned tasks were easy and you got to meet different people and interact with cats and dogs,” says Blake. “I would definitely recommend students to get involved because it’s a great way to serve a good cause and you get to work with cats and dogs for anyone who loves both.”
As this semester comes to an end, students can volunteer their free time at the FOAU and help animals in need.