Saturday, March 5, I decided to give a hand to Nine Lives Feline Rescue Shelter of Norton for their annual rabies clinic at Norton Fire Department.

Nine Lives has ran these clinics for cats for at least the last 10 years, but this is the first time they have opened it up to dogs.

“That was Dr. Silberhorn's idea,” said Jean Harnden, director at Nine Lives. “The last few years we have not done as well as we used to, and opening it up to the dogs has made it more like old times.”

Vaccinations were given out to 74 animals, all of which were well behaved. As a result, Nine Lives raised over $1,000.

“Thanks to Dr. Silberhorn and Norton Animal Hospital and a thank you to the Norton Fire Department for the use of the bay, and a big thank you to all the great volunteers who helped that day,” Harnden said.

Though I was not physically giving the shots out, I helped out in other ways, such as writing out certificates, baking cupcakes to sell and taking photos of the event. It meant a lot to me to be a part of this event, as I’ve always been an animal lover.

I enjoy helping the shelter out any way I can. Every Friday, I produce a video of a cat up for adoption, in hopes that they find a home. And when I have time, I clean out litter boxes, feed the cats and try to socialize them.

What Nine Lives Feline Rescue Shelter does is incredible, and I’m happy to be a part of it. And you can be too!

For more information on how to volunteer at Nine Lives of Norton, call 508-285-5159, visit http://www.ninelivesofnorton.org/ or e-mail ninelivesofnorton@yahoo.com.