DOBSON — The state director of the Humane Society of the United States wants input from county residents on how to improve the number of animals being adopted at the local shelter.

Animal advocates have been very vocal in recent months about improving the adoption rates in the county, and North Carolina Humane Society Director Kimberley Alboum has set an Aug. 9 informational meeting to discuss this, and other animal-related issues in the county.

The meeting, which is set to “focus on our local communities and the issues animals face within them,” gets under way at 6:30 p.m. at the Surry County Government Center in Dobson.

Alboum said the public is invited to the meeting, which also will feature representatives from North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare, Susie’s Law and other animal advocates.

The purpose of the meeting is “to discuss what you can do to improve the lives of animals in the Surry County community.”

“Discussion will include techniques to get the community involved with the local animal shelter, and how to advocate for all animals in the community,” she said.

According to the state director, the Humane Society is working on several projects to improve life for North Carolina animals, and “we can’t be effective without your help.”

She has set up a website at http://action.humanesociety.org/site/Calendar/1517877787?view=Detail&id=106621 where county residents can RSVP for the meeting or pass the word of the meeting along to their friends.

County residents can also go to http://action.humanesociety.org/site/Calendar/, scroll to “August” and click on the August 9, “Surry, NC” date to register to attend the meeting.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.