David Shirah waited patiently Sunday afternoon for the help he so desperately needed.

Clearing out a huge barn to make way for the animals that will find safe refuge at the Humane Society of Pike County’s animal shelter near Brundidge was going to be a monumental task.

Shirah, the shelter manager, knew that the task was more than he could tackle alone.

“The members of Farm House Fraternity at Troy University are coming to help and they are going to be a great help,” he said. “This is more than just a few people could do.”

When the fraternity brothers arrived, there were more than a few of them, around 20 at first and they kept coming.

“We heard that the Humane Society of Pike County needed help down here and we’re here to do what we can,” said Judson Ricks.

Shirah didn’t waste a minute giving directions and the brothers of Farm House didn’t waste any time in getting started.

Susan Jinright, humane society treasurer, said Shirah and his family have moved into the house on the 12-acre property that has been deeded to the Humane Society of Pike County by the Humane Society of the United States Wildlife Trust. “The property was willed to the Wildlife Trust by the estate of Delores Hutter and the remaining of the 60 acres must be used as a wildlife refuge. “This is some of the prettiest property in the county,” Jinright said. “We are extremely proud to have David and his family here. He is a good manager and will be a real asset to our facility which includes a large metal barn, about 113×40 feet, a barn with 12 stables and a couple of our buildings.” “We recently completed our fall program and 307 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered which helps to reduce the animal population in Pike County,” she said.