The volunteers at the Muskingum County Dog Warden and Adoption Center take dog loving to a whole new level.

Whether it’s playing with dogs, walking the four-legged friends, writing thank you notes, managing social media or performing other tasks, each volunteer at the center serves a vital role in keeping the facility operational.

The Muskingum County Commissioners honored the many volunteers early Thursday evening with certificates of appreciation, cookies and kind words of thanks.

“I just want you to know, and we’ve said this to the wardens, I don’t think that there’s any way the adoption center could run without all of you,” Commissioner Mollie Crooks said to the volunteers. “So we just wanted to do a little something to show you how much we appreciate you and value you.”

Each volunteer received a personalized certificate thanking them for the specific duties they attend to at the center along with a paw print cookie from Linda’s Bakery.

Emotions were high as a couple of wardens thanked the volunteers for their services and dedication to helping the dogs.

“You volunteers are a great help,” Dog Warden Bryan Catlin said. “I think I try to tell you as much as possible. Even when I was by myself, I couldn’t have done it.”

The volunteers were appreciative of the recognition and shared stories with the commissioners about rehabilitated dogs, parts of their duties and other volunteers who were not present.

There are many tasks that the volunteers take on and divide up to utilize their own talents within the work at the center.

“I love dogs, in general,” Cathy Lighthizer, a volunteer who focuses on social media, adoption bags and providing daily treats, said. “I’m involved in German Shepherd rescue, but then I realized right in my backyard there were dogs that needed rescued, so I started going out there and trying to help every way I can.”  

The recognition came shortly after new blueprints were distributed to the dog wardens regarding the new facility. While the plans for the new building are still in the works, the volunteers are excited for a new place to house their furry friends.

The moving date for the dog warden and adoption center, which is a separate facility than the animal shelter, is not set at this time.