For animal lovers, coming home after a long day at work to anexcited pet is one of life’s little joys.

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, a local no-kill shelter tryingto make this happiness a reality for more people, is having a workday on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Representatives of the sheltersee this as a chance for volunteers to come out and help a fun andworthy cause.

“We encourage any age to come join us,” said volunteer Tom Ross,saying that individuals come as well as entire families. “We cleanthe pens, feed and water the dogs and socialize them. We just kindof take care of everything that needs doing.”

BARL has made it a point to provide a home for animals who donot have one, believing that no animal should be euthanized justbecause it is unwanted.

Ross said currently the shelter is filled to capacity, andthough they have always had an approval process, they have tofollow it to the letter at this point. Animals must come in with aveterinarian’s approval.

“We take in animals when possible, though first it has to beapproved because of how full we are. We just can’t take them all,because we only have a certain amount of kennel space,” hesaid.

Shelter and adoption are not the only services BARL offers. Theorganization also assists through grant money with low-cost spayand neuter.

“We don’t want there to be unwanted puppies and kittens,” saidRoss. “We also help with shots, and medications, and we have thevets we work with make sure they’re healthy.”

The animals at BARL are up to date on vaccinations, dewormed andspayed or neutered. All the dogs at the shelter have permanentmicrochip identification and are on monthly heartworm preventative.In addition, all of BARL’s animals are eligible for free petinsurance.

Ross said there is someone at BARL Monday from 10 a.m. to 5p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturdaysfrom 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2p.m.

Volunteers interested in volunteering on Saturday or in generalinformation on BARL are invited to call (601) 757-4367.