By Jamie Reese

Asst. Editor-in-Chief

On Tuesday, April 22, Siamsa will hold a charity event to support the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe County (AWSOM) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County.

Between 6 PM and 8 PM, Siamsa will donate 10 percent of the entire bar tab to the two groups.

AWSOM, the only animal shelter of Monroe County, will be outside with dogs.

“It’s going to be an adoption event. You can go there, we’ll prescreen you, and you can actually take a dog home from there,” said David Carbone, Operations Director of AWSOM.

Carbone continued, “We’re going to be selling t-shirts and magnets. It’s another way of getting us out there. This is the only no kill shelter; it’s the only shelter in all of Monroe County.”

AWSOM currently cares for about 30 dogs and 60 cats and kittens.

According to Carbone, AWSOM is a private shelter, and so they must raise funds to support all of those future family friends.

“Everything you see here is from funds. We don’t get money from the state,” said Carbone. ““All these events every single weekend…That’s what keeps the shelter going.”

Carbone continued, “We have people that don’t deal with the animals at all. We have people out there just raising money for the shelter. Some people are very nervous around animals.”

There are other ways to donate as well.

“We have a wish list of things that we need,” said Carbone. “A lot of people will, if they have a few extra dollars in their pocket, go to the store and drop stuff off for us.

According to Carbone, many people prefer to donate items instead of making monetary donations.

Items included on the wish list are Simple Green, soap, dog food, cat food and towels.

If money is tight, AWSOM is always looking for more volunteers.

The shelter is open to volunteers from 8 AM to 5 PM every day. It is located at 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive in Stroudsburg, which is less than three miles from ESU campus.

Volunteers may go to one of AWSOM’s hour and a half training sessions, and thereafter go to the shelter during hours of operation to play with and care for the animals. There are no mandatory hours.

Volunteers can also help clean and take care of various other miscellaneous needs.

But if none of that interests you, the more conventional method to support AWSOM is to adopt.

“You have to fill out a pre-adoption form here. If you rent, we have to call your landlord to make sure you’re allowed to have a dog,” said Carbone.

Carbone continued, “We clear you criminally. If you own a dog, we call your vet and make sure your dogs are spayed. We just make sure that you’re very safe, and you’re somebody that’s going to take care of your dog.”

According to Carbone, all dogs and cats that leave the shelter are fixed, have their shots, and are ready to be welcomed into the home. An adoption fee covers these expenses.

If you are interested in adopting a pet, working the shelter, making a donation or would just like to learn more, AWSOM is online at www.awsomanimals.org or can be contacted by phone at 570-421-DOGS.

Email Jamie at:

jreese6@live.esu.edu