DOUBLEDOG BRIGADE. The Doubledog Brigade is a team of people working to help animals in our community on a project-by-project basis. Brigade volunteers get together to determine and tackle specific projects for different groups and shelters in our area, depending upon their needs and the talents and availability of the team members. Projects include construction work, cleanup days, creating promotional materials and programs for pet adoptions, getting needed things donated and organizing events. The scope and duration of the projects vary—some may be one-day projects while others may take a few weeks to complete.

The Doubledog Brigade is needed and appreciated. Just keeping up with the daily work involved in animal rescue and sheltering is a constant challenge for shelter managers and staff. In the already packed schedule of shelter staffers, organizing special events or doing a major cleanup often takes a back seat to pressing daily tasks. Also, money is generally tight and has to be earmarked for vet bills and food rather than for remodeling or a promotional campaign. The many larger projects, whether it's painting the shelter or organizing pet adoptions, are not what most volunteers have in mind when they decide to volunteer at their local rescue group or shelter one afternoon a week. A team of volunteers who can come in, manage themselves and complete a sizable project for the shelter is a huge asset. It also works well for many volunteers who cannot make a routine weekly commitment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Doubledog Brigade or becoming a volunteer team member, please e-mail Shannon at doubledogdesign@comcast.net.

DOUBLEDOG SOCIETY. Doubledog is in the process of establishing a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in order to raise funds, solicit grants and secure corporate sponsors for the purchase of a full-service, state-of-the-art mobile adoption unit.

Inspired by the North Shore Animal League and it's mobile adoption program, Doubledog will provide the unit to shelters so they may create mobile adoption events with their own pets, locations and adoption standards—allowing them to place even more pets in loving homes.

D.I.G.S. Doubledog believes that if we truly wish to create a future free from animal suffering and cruelty, we need to reach our children. D.I.G.S. (Doubledog In Grade Schools) brings the concept of humane education to elementary school teachers. At its most basic level, humane education is about learning to care for the animals in our homes and communities. It is about fostering kindness, respect and empathy for both humans and animals, and looking after the environment and its diverse habitats. Humane education strives to establish a sense of responsibility and to make the world a better, more humane place.

Using materials supported and supplied by the HSUS and the ASPCA, Doubledog gives short, age-appropriate classroom presentations to students. The program helps kids understand the needs of an animal in their home, and shows how they can be responsible pet owners. It also educates them on why it is important to adopt or rescue animals. In addition, every classroom that invites DIGS to visit receives a sponsorship to the KIND NEWS (Kids in Natures Defense) Adopt-a-Classroom program courtesy of Doubledog. For more information on the KIND Adopt-a-Classroom project, visit www.kindnews.org.