The value of volunteers
I have written on this subject before and am simply going to repeat myself here. Volunteers are the most valuable members of any non-profit organization.
I belong to several groups who discuss animal welfare issues concerning shelters, cleaning, training, volunteers and several other topics. This past week, one of the members was asking for help with suggestions on how other shelters get the time to provide outside time for the dogs in their care, while trying to do the daily chores of feeding, laundry, cleaning, etc. This person had 2 or 3 regular volunteers but despite having a coordinator and people who signed up to volunteer, many simply never came back or were very sporadic with their visits.
Volunteers need to feel needed. They want to be productive and do what they can to help the organization they are volunteering with. They are giving of their time. It is one thing to write a check and walk away and another to spend an hour or two, walking dogs or socializing cats.
The importance of keeping enrichment programs going normally falls within a volunteer category. Most shelters simply have no time with day to day operations, to spend the time needed with the animals.
Every minute spent with a shelter animal keeps hope alive for that animal. They look forward to being brushed and petted, walked and having a good game of fetch. It strengthens the human/animal bond and keeps the animal, who really has nothing to look forward to, mentally stimulated.
I have seen animals with no spark in their eyes, come alive once a volunteer begins spending time with them.
To all the volunteers who give so freely of their time for the animals, please don't stop. We appreciate you and love every minute you give to our four legged friends. If you don't volunteer anyplace but would like to, please call your local shelter or rescue. There is a list on the left hand side of this page. If you can't walk a dog or cuddle a cat, you can offer to help with office work or laundry. You can become a poop princess and help clean the play yards. All of this won't seem like work and you will make friends for life.
I belong to several groups who discuss animal welfare issues concerning shelters, cleaning, training, volunteers and several other topics. This past week, one of the members was asking for help with suggestions on how other shelters get the time to provide outside time for the dogs in their care, while trying to do the daily chores of feeding, laundry, cleaning, etc. This person had 2 or 3 regular volunteers but despite having a coordinator and people who signed up to volunteer, many simply never came back or were very sporadic with their visits.
Volunteers need to feel needed. They want to be productive and do what they can to help the organization they are volunteering with. They are giving of their time. It is one thing to write a check and walk away and another to spend an hour or two, walking dogs or socializing cats.
The importance of keeping enrichment programs going normally falls within a volunteer category. Most shelters simply have no time with day to day operations, to spend the time needed with the animals.
Every minute spent with a shelter animal keeps hope alive for that animal. They look forward to being brushed and petted, walked and having a good game of fetch. It strengthens the human/animal bond and keeps the animal, who really has nothing to look forward to, mentally stimulated.
I have seen animals with no spark in their eyes, come alive once a volunteer begins spending time with them.
To all the volunteers who give so freely of their time for the animals, please don't stop. We appreciate you and love every minute you give to our four legged friends. If you don't volunteer anyplace but would like to, please call your local shelter or rescue. There is a list on the left hand side of this page. If you can't walk a dog or cuddle a cat, you can offer to help with office work or laundry. You can become a poop princess and help clean the play yards. All of this won't seem like work and you will make friends for life.
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