BAMBERG -- A cute puppy popping out of a beribboned box on Christmas morning is an endearing scene. For many people, such a sight conjures up warm, fuzzy feelings and brings back memories of childhood and romping with a beloved dog.

Now picture a different scene. On Christmas morning, or any other morning for that matter, scores of puppies and dogs of all shapes, sizes, personalities and bloodlines scamper about - some in cement-floor pens and others in wide-open play yards - all surrounded by a six-foot-high fence. They all appear happy and healthy, yet something is missing. They have no home, no owner, no one to scratch them behind the ear and tell them "Good boy!" when they fetch a stick.

Life for the 80 plus dogs and 15 cats at the Mary Ann Morris Animal Society Inc. shelter just south of Bamberg is bearable. It sure beats life on the street, hanging out at the trash dumpster or, worse yet, dying a slow death due to hunger and disease. While many were strays who never had a home, others were dropped off because owners decided they didn't want them anymore.

Thanks to a handful of volunteers, a few part-time helpers and generous donations from the public and private sector, MAMAS has been able to provide temporary shelter for hundreds of dogs and a handful of cats over the years. But they need more help.

Cindy Hurst, who manages the shelter, says MAMAS is desperately in need of donations of supplies, money and helping hands.

"There are so many ways in which people can help," Hurst said. "A donation of money is the most versatile, because we can use it when and where we need it the most."

Hurst said one local donor sends a check in every month for the same amount. Monetary donations can be of any amount and can be given in honor or in memory of someone. Donations are tax-deductible as MAMAS is a 501(c)(3).

Donations of supplies are always welcomed, Hurst said. Regularly used supplies include paper towels, dish detergent, laundry detergent, Clorox, toilet paper, light bulbs (60 watt), thick plastic trash bags, dog crackers and toys. Dog food for the shelter is provided by a grant through Pedigree in Columbia.

"We use warm fabric in the way of old, stained clothing, blankets, baby blankets and sheets for bedding," Hurst said. "If we didn't have to wash and reuse the bedding quite so much, we could save a lot of time and money."

Hurst said she would welcome a volunteer or group to be in charge of a "bedding project" to collect, sort, cut up and keep the shelter dogs provided with a warm, clean place to sleep.

"This would be an excellent project for someone to take on that would really be helpful to us," Hurst said. "We could provide the boxes for the project."

Another area where more volunteers are needed is in cleaning the dog pens, Hurst said. Contract laborers are used on a part-time basis for cleaning but someone who can really scrub down the pens once a week would help them keep things a little cleaner, Hurst said.

"We also need help transporting animals to and from vet appointments or to run other errands," she said. "There is also a serious need for educating the public about appropriate pet care and the need to spay and neuter pets."

MAMAS often has a need for foster homes for pets who are in a transitional phase, Hurst said. Volunteers can foster a dog for about 10 days before it goes to its new home, making the move easier for everyone. Providing foster care after surgery is also needed.

Hurst is grateful for the youth and adult volunteers who do give of their time to help MAMAS.

Ruthie Rish has been helping at the shelter, posting photos of the adoptable dogs and cats on line at www.petfinder.com, and aiding in adoptions both locally and off site. Caitlin Smith is a ninth-grader who has helped out with the cats for two years.

High school groups and other youth help in various ways, both on site and by way of raising money for the shelter through bake sales and making donations.

"Right now you can go into House of Pizza in Bamberg and see the Christmas trees that Chelle Saliriss has decorated with ornaments with pictures of dogs and cats at MAMAS that can be adopted," Hurst said. "You can buy one of the ornaments or simply give a donation."

Earlier this year, MAMAS sent out a request for help with replacing 34 gates at the shelter and doing other long-needed maintenance chores. She said the $45 adoption fee covered a fraction of the cost of the vaccines, de-worming and spaying/neutering that each animal receives.

The "Gates of Love" fund-raiser, an idea which Rish came up with, brought in several donations, but MAMAS is still in dire need of more money to purchase gates at $75 apiece. A plaque featuring the name of the donor or someone they would like to donate in honor of will be placed on the gate.

Hurst is very appreciative of the area veterinarians for giving the shelter discounts for spaying and neutering.

"They have also given us a lot of encouragement and assistance since the very beginning," Hurst said. She also praised the Goss family (Alison, Wayne, Jordan and Jared) for their devotion and assistance to the shelter.

MAMAS is located off U.S. 601 South just outside of Bamberg on Slow Pitch Road. The shelter can be reached at 803-245-7387. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1511, Bamberg, SC 29003.

Go on line to learn more about the Mary Ann Morris Society Inc. at www.petfinder.com or e-mail them at MAMAS Shelter@aol.com.

T&D Correspondent Minnie Miller can be reached by writing to her at 138 Nature's Trail, Bamberg, SC 29003. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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