The Iberia Humane Society, which houses more than 100 animals at its no-kill shelter at any given time, is always in need of supplies and volunteers.

This holiday season is no different.

Each year, The Daily Iberian picks 10 non-profit agencies in the Teche Area that rely heavily, if not entirely, on donations and encourages readers to consider donating to one or more through its Help the Helpers program. It is an extension of the newspaper's Make a difference and Adopt a Family programs.

Sandy Sawyer, assistant director at the Iberia Humane Society, holds puppies recently that the shelter has taken in. - Heather Miller / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

With an operating budget of $8,000 to $10,000 a month, shelter Director Dayna Perry said it’s sometimes hard to make the dollars and supplies stretch.

“We try to stay at $8,000, but it’s really hard,” Perry said.

Perry said people drop off between 30 to 50 animals each month. She said the shelter can usually take in between 95 and 130 cats and kittens and 45 to 50 dogs. Perry said if they get more than that, they have to turn animals away.

Money donations of any amount are appreciated, Perry said, and can be sent to P.O. Box 11422, New Iberia, LA 70562.

But aside from money, people who wish to help can also donate necessary supplies like baby shampoo, small to medium chain collars for dogs, leashes, canned food for both cats and dogs, and cleaning supplies for cleaning the cages. Also, old blankets, towels and sheets are always helpful, Perry said.

“What’s really nice is when people have a pet that’s passed away, they’ll come by and drop off litter pans, shampoos, medications and other things,” Perry said.

Supplies can be mailed to the Humane Society shelter at 1314 Troy Road, New Iberia, LA 70563.

Aside from supplies and money, assistant shelter director Sandy Sawyer said the shelter is lacking volunteers right now.

“We would love to see more dog walkers, or people willing to drive the animals to the vet, anything,” Sawyer said.

Perry said the shelter receives a lot of youth volunteers including school groups and 4-H Club members, but the shelter could use some older volunteers.

Volunteers who are under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult, Perry said, and children over the age of 13 can work for up to four hours at at time.

“We need mature people who can develop a routine on their own,” Perry said. “But we’ll take anyone, really. People of all ages, if they’re ready and willing, we’ll show them what they need done.”

Donations can be mailed to Help the Helpers at The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70562 or delivered to the newspaper office at 926 E. Main St. You can make checks payable to Help the Helpers.