Extraordinary Volunteer Says Efforts 'No Big Deal'

To say that June Haines likes to help animals would be an understatement. She loves to help them and wants to make the animals at the pet shelter feel as though they are in her own home.

Last week, she was honored for her service and given an award for volunteering more than 2,000 hours to the North Kingstown Pet Shelter and has helped more than 1,000 animals since she started in 2005. 

Haines says it's not that big of a deal. 

“I grew up with dogs and cats but I don’t really know where my love for helping animals comes from, but who wouldn’t want to help them?,” Haines said. “I want to make them feel loved; its so fun and when I leave, I feel good.”

Haines said that she started her volunteer work at the Exeter Pet shelter about 12 years ago with her sister-in-law. Eventually, she and a friend began volunteering at the North Kingstown Pet Shelter and she has been there ever since. 

“It sure doesn’t feel like its been six years since I started volunteering,” Haines said. “To me, its no big deal, I’m just happy to go there.”

Although she could go and leave anytime she wanted to, Haines usually works at the pet shelter on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and spends most of her time helping with the cats. She usually cleans the cages and gives them fresh water and fresh food.

“I just do whatever they need me to do; clean, do laundry,” Haines said. “Some people think its just about walking dogs, but it's not.”

Haines said she always has her favorites, but that it's never just one.

“There's always a few that you just kind of take to,” Haines said. “We’re just happy they they’re all with us and not out on the roads.”

Haines also has two cats at home that she loves and cares for.