From Jail to the Pound

No one can resist the cute little face of a rescued puppy or kitten -- not even hardened criminals. After suffering severe budget cuts, one Osceola County animal shelter wasn't quite sure how it would keep itself afloat after it had to lay off 12 of its workers last month, acccording to story on WFTV.com. But luckily, an unlikely team of helpers stepped in to pick up the slack -- inmates from the county jail.

As part of an innovative work program, the minimum security inmates now help clean cages, care for the animals and even interact with the public. About six-to-eight prisoners work each shift, along with two officers who supervise the situation. The remaining animal shelter employees seem to be pleased with the inmates' work.

"They've been very productive, very cooperative. They have done an outstanding job," said Lee Radebaugh of the Osceola County Animal Shelter, reports WFTV.com.

The work program benefits prisoners, too. Not only does it get them out of jail for a few hours, in some cases it cuts time from their sentences. Inmate Jason Curtis can cut five days off his sentence for every 30 that he works at the shelter. Sure beats working on the chain gang.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.