Holiday season brings ongoing need for volunteers and fosters at Wayne County Dog Shelter

As the holiday season approaches and household schedules fill with travel and gatherings, dogs housed at the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center continue to require daily care, socialization and enrichment.

Shelter operations do not pause for holidays. Dogs need consistent feeding, cleaning, exercise and human interaction, regardless of the date on the calendar. According to shelter staff, reduced foot traffic during late November and December can lead to fewer volunteers and less time outside the kennels for dogs that rely on routine interaction to remain healthy and adoptable.

“Time spent in a home — even briefly — provides shelter dogs with comfort, routine and valuable socialization,” said Brenda Siladi, president of Promoting Animal Welfare for the Wayne County Dog Shelter. “Holiday schedules often limit visitor traffic, and fostering helps fill that gap while giving dogs a much-needed break from the shelter environment. Opening your home for a few days can make a meaningful difference in a dog’s overall well-being.”

Dogs at the shelter represent a range of ages and backgrounds. Some are seniors, some are fearful or under-socialized, and others have never experienced a shelter environment before arriving. Regular, calm interaction helps reduce stress, supports behavioral health and improves adoption outcomes.

The shelter continues to engage the community through outreach and fundraising efforts. Recently, the Wayne County Dog Shelter hosted its annual Santa Paws fundraiser, where nearly 100 families showed up with their dogs for photos with Santa, visited vendor tables and made their own glass-blown Christmas ornament.

The Wayne County Dog Shelter offers volunteer opportunities year round including walking dogs, providing basic enrichment and assisting with daily operations. The shelter also maintains foster programs that allow approved individuals or families to temporarily care for a dog in a home setting. Foster placements give dogs a break from the shelter environment, provide valuable socialization and help staff learn more about a dog’s behavior in a home.

“Every dog that comes through our shelter has a different history and a different level of adjustment,” Wayne County Dog Warden and Shelter Director Katelyn Lehman said. “Our goal is to move dogs through the shelter safely and responsibly. Programs that get dogs into home environments, even briefly, provide information we can’t always obtain in a kennel setting and help improve long-term placement decisions.”

In addition to time, financial support remains critical during the holiday season. Donations help offset the costs of food, medical care and cleaning supplies, all of which remain the same throughout the year.

Residents interested in volunteering, fostering or donating can find information through the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center by calling 330-345-1018 or visiting www.waynedogshelter.org.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.