Volunteering at Animal Shelters

[Jan]

I volunteered at a local shelter recently. The staff did not have a sign-in sheet, never asked my name, and did not know the name of the dog that I walked, nor its history. They just pointed toward an area of the property and said "we walk them over there." I am really discouraged from going back, and find it difficult to locate other animal shelters in our area. Thanks for your time and reply.

[Diane Wilkerson]

Try this link to hopefully locate another shelter in your area. The bottom line is though, at least the dog got a walk and some kind human interaction which is a good thing. I can totally understand how disappointing the experience was for you though.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=shelter_2k5_searchShe...

[Christine Zuehlke]

How do you get started as a volunteer? What type of experience are the shelters looking for if any?

[Leila Warren]

It sounds as though they do not have the staff to implement a good volunteer program. Perhaps you could inquire if there is a Volunteer Coordinator or volunteer yourself to come up with a program, with the help of a seasoned staff member familiar with the protocol. Budget constraints in many shelters prohibit a paid staff person to be a Volunteer Coordinator.

[Elyse Orecchio]

Great advice, Leila!

[Ann Fennell]

Look at it this way, Jan, an animal at a shelter like that, which shows so little respect for the dogs, needs the respect and affection you can provide even more than a dog at a well-run shelter. You give the dog a name. I know it is harder, and more heartbreaking, but dogs there really do need you more. The DOG's feelings are what matters. --Ann

[Ann Fennell]

What a great suggestion from Leila Warren - to become involved in coordinating volunteers. The ASPCA in Raleigh was so organized - they had a volunteer "training" program and a list posted every day where volunteers posted what times each dog was walked, brushed, sat with, etc., so a few wouldn't get all the attention and none would be left out. --Ann

[stephanie]

i am 11 years old and i dont know how i can help animals in need because i am so small to other people but they dont understand my potentiol. can you help figure out what i can do now to help animals in need?