Cats awaiting adoption at the Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society wasted no time getting to know Palmerton Area High School students.

As the 17 junior and senior members of Palmerton Against Animal Cruelty (PAAC) arrived to volunteer at the shelter last Friday, the curious cats came to them for pats on the head, strokes on the back — and yes, treats!

“My favorite part of the trip was getting to play with the kittens while also helping a shelter in need,” said student Brayden Newhard. “While we’re having fun with the animals, we’re also helping them get used to socializing with humans, which is vital for them to find their forever homes.”

It was the group’s first trip to the nonprofit organization’s shelter, said adviser Miranda Allen.

While there, the students scooped litter boxes, dished out dry and wet foods, mopped floors and washed dishes.

Newhard didn’t mind the work a bit.

“I’m also glad we could help the volunteers with cleaning because they have so many animals but not much help to take care of them,” he said.

Tryniti LaBar, junior coordinator for the society, said she and staff members greatly appreciated the students’ help.

“They did a fantastic job,” LaBar said. “We would love to have them back. And we would also love for other schools with similar programs to participate as well. Anyone is welcome.”

Student member Hailey Delgado said she “loved” all the cats, but she had high praise for shelter workers, too.

“They were very welcoming and good at explaining exactly what needed to be done,” Delgado said. “I’m glad we decided to go to this shelter because I really think they needed it.

“It was an all-around good time and very enjoyable.”

The high school club has around 50 members. Underclassmen will join juniors and seniors on a spring service trip to a local shelter or rescue to drop off blankets, towels, pet food, treats, toys, cleaning supplies and other donations the group will collect during the annual pet supply drive.

In addition to the drive, the club runs a number of fundraisers to raise money for local pets in need, shelters and rescues.

“PAAC is great because we get to make a huge difference for local shelters with our donations and community service trips. Meanwhile, we get to interact with animals with other fellow pet-lovers,” Newhard said.

LaBar said the shelter in Palmerton is always looking for volunteers to help for a few hours during mornings or nights.

“We are in extreme need of volunteers willing to participate in shifts tending to our cats on a weekly basis. It could be one day, two days, or three days — whatever anyone would be comfortable with,” she said.

Volunteers can also assist by setting up and monitoring tables during events, LaBar said.

“Another group of volunteers we are looking for is kids 12-18 to join our junior group,” she added.

And of course, the shelter is always looking for folks to adopt cats.

“At the moment we have over 40 cats that need homes,” LaBar said. “Ages vary. Colors vary. Size vary.”

Donations are accepted, too. Visit Blue Mountain Rescue Society on Facebook for links to wish lists and donation information, or go to https://linktr.ee/bmars.

“We appreciate all the community has done and continues to do for our rescue,” LaBar said.

Student Taylor Lyon called the volunteer experience unforgettable”

“We got to meet incredible volunteers, learn what being in the rescue business entails, and meet cute animals that are up for adoption,” she said.