By CAROLE ROBINSON / Review Appeal Staff Reporter

Country singer Barbara Mandrell joined the list of volunteers at Williamson County Animal Control yesterday. She showed up prepared to work and got right into the routine. (Carole Robinson / Staff)

Country singer Barbara Mandrell showed up at Williamson County Animal Control on Thursday afternoon with four cages, several bags of dog food and one thing in mind — to help.

“I’ll clean cages, walk, feed, I’ll do anything,” she told assistant director Debby Leddy, who helped Mandrell and her friend, Pat Bullard, fill out the necessary volunteer forms.

The singer said it was Bullard who reminded her of the continuing need for volunteers at the shelter because of the animals confiscated from the puppy mill in January.

“I saw it on the news three or four weeks ago,” Mandrell said. “I care very much for animals and for the work the volunteers are doing. God bless the volunteers. Pat said it was still going on and there was a need for more help. I felt so bad, so I decided to come.”

As she toured the facility, Mandrell pitched in and cleaned out cages, loaded the washing machine with dirty towels and blankets, and stopped frequently to hug an animal.

She thought it was important to keep attention on the needs at the facility and not let the newness of the problem wear off, even if that meant using her star power.

Mandrell said she was willing to volunteer on a regular basis, but because of her schedule, not regularly. Leddy explained many of the facility’s volunteers have the same problem.

“We’re just happy to have any time you can give.”

Mandrell has three large dogs, three cats and a cockatoo of her own. Recently her two grown children moved back home, bringing with them their own cats. Just thinking of the four felines added to the bunch made her laugh.

“The cats spend a lot of time in the addition we put onto the house — it’s the feline house.”

Staff Reporter Carole Robinson can be contacted at carole@reviewappeal.com.