Tom Frager, an eighth-grader at Central Junior High, cuddles a kitten as he and other students learn how to volunteer at the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th St.

About a half-dozen Central Junior High students decided to take advantage of the school’s after-school program by learning how to give back to the community.

The group spent Wednesday afternoon at the Lawrence Humane Society going through the volunteer orientation.

“The volunteers … they’re our lifeblood,” director Midge Grinstead said. “We just couldn’t do the most important part of our job.”

Seventh-grader Christian Espinosa thought his time could be better spent at the shelter instead of playing video games.

“It feels good to help out in the community,” he said. “I’ve just always been drawn to the humane society.”

The students learned that they can do things like bathe the animals, teach dogs how to walk on leashes and just get them used to human interaction.

“I’ve learned that you have to be gentle with animals in case they are really nervous,” seventh-grader Maggie Wiseman said. “I love animals so much.”

The humane society is in constant need of volunteers. To become one, anyone older than 11 can attend an orientation on the first or second Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. at the shelter, 1805 E. 19th St.

Even though Christian was clawed by a few kittens looking for attention, he hoped they found a good home.

“I just want all the dogs and cats to be adopted,” he said. “That’d be great.”