[Curbside Prophet]

My 5 year goal is to own a home that is better suited for multiple dogs. Elsa is my pride and joy, but so are dogs to me in general. I volunteer time at my local shelter for many reasons, but primarily in hope that a og I worked with can be adopted out.

Off the street I am allowed to walk dogs, play with dogs, bathe dogs, and help out with the public any way I can. I even make some time in helping with the laundry and keeping the place clean...a happy staff is a harder working staff. All of it I think helps to find a dog a home.

Today for example, Toby, Blitz,and Heidy each had a 20 minute walk with me and some play time in an enclosed field. Toby was found as a stray, yet walks very well on leash. Heidy is a lucky dog. She's 8 years old and was surrendered by a family who's home burnt down. Well those same owners have a new home now, and they are returning to adopt Heidy back soon. Blitz...he's definitely his name sake. He's been adopted out 2 times and returned for the same reason, he's "too much dog". He need a lot of help.

For me volunteering is one way I can satisfy my care for dogs. Maybe you have a care too, but are reluctant to volunteer. I say if you have the time (10 hours a month is all that's required of me), take advantage of the resources at your local shelter. Even if you don't know anything about dogs, it's a great place to learn and pick up skills that you can take home to your own dog. It's saddening to see the dog the way they are at the shelter, but there's no greater satisfaction than seeing their tounges hanging out the side of their mouths.

So, when do you plan on volunteering at your shelter?

[Lightwingcreations]

Oooohh, you're making me feel guilty because I know I should definately be helping out. I'm a dog maniac. The only thing that has kept me from volunteering is the heartache (I'm a big mush, and I do mean mushy, my heart hangs off of my sleeve). How do you deal with the cases that don't ever get homes or the ones that get euthanized (if it's a kill shelter)?

[Dogstar]

You learn to cope- and you learn to hit up friends and family who don't have a dog (or who only have one) when one of your favorites looks like he or she is running out of time. :P

Is it fun? A lot of the time, it can be. If you're worried about heartache, why not volunteer for a local breed rescue or very low kill shelter with limited intake, rather than the municipal shelters that are generally the highest kill. A big part of being a volunteer over a long period is choosing a group that you fit well with and NOT getting burned out. If you can't volunteer at the shelter on a daily basis, why not see if you can help with off-site adopt-a-pets? Help with transport runs, or taking dogs to/from vet appointments? Volunteer to work in the office, or help with fundraising or grantwriting. There are LOTS of things shelters need, if you feel like you can't work with the dogs directly.

[Jen D]

Curbside, What breed is blitz? I also volunteer in two shelters helping the people with no experience and just to teach the dogs to walk without pulling. I love it and work with them on basic manners just so they can get a home. No one wants a 100lb dog trying to jump into laps, that is one of the things we run into. We don't get into alot of the basic obiedience because alot of the homes wont use it so we just work on walking, that seems to be important to people and a dog that will sit. You also mentioned even in people do not have experience they are needed just to exercise these dogs. It helps them a great deal, being tired when they meet new people. I also have to mentioned it is so much fun working with these dogs I just love a challenge! Often I think it also helps not to know the back round because i know I find that I will be looking for the problems they were dumped for. I always meet them first and work with them, then if I feel I need to know I will ask.

[Lorina]

I used to work at our local shelter, and with the minimum wage pay rate, it was practically volunteering.

Between having three pets and working fulltime as a vet tech, I honestly have my fill of face-to-face animal time. But I help out in other ways. I'm a "member" of the local spca (financial contribution), and give towels & blankets, food, cleaners, etc. when I can.

I also donate pet portraits to various rescues and shelters for them to raffle off at their fundraisers. I've given away more portraits than I've sold. I don't know if that's something to be proud of or embarassed by, but I've sold more paintings than Van Gogh did in his lifetime.

[borzoimom]

I have done so for years. Its rewarding but also heart breaking...

[sheplovr]

I tried twice to work at Orphans of the Storm our shelter. I walked in one day and say puppies in a container. I ask what is wrong with those little black beauties. She said: Oh they are being put to sleep. That did it, no more for me. I just could not tolerate seeing that stuff.

[mattmania843]

Im 14 and want to do it this summer, but every animal shelter is very far away, like 2-3 buses minimum, maybe a few days this summer ill get my parents to drive me down and ill walk and socialize with the dogs.

[ScareCrow]

Actually I plan to take both my daughters to the local shelter we got Annie from starting next week. When we got Annie I asked if we could bring our daughters down to volunteer, with our help of course. The lady at the shelter actually got excited when I asked and gave me a list of things we could volunteer to do. I found it heartbreaking being in that shelter and so did my wife, so naturally my wife was worried about the kids being old enough to understand what's going on there. Well my girls proved to their mother that they could handle it when she walked in on them watching animal planet. That animal cops show was on and they were showing this dog that had the chain embedded in it's neck, very graphic and almost made my wife sick. She asked the girls what they were watching and they said they were watching some people trying to save the dogs life because some mean people didn't treat it right. That was good enough for her and now that schools out I can get them there when the shelter is open. I personally think it is going to be a great experience for them, even as young as they are.

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by Jen D

Curbside, What breed is blitz? I also volunteer in two shelters helping the people with no experience and just to teach the dogs to walk without pulling. I love it and work with them on basic manners just so they can get a home.

Blitz is a GSD mix. About 65 lbs and 100% bulldozer. He could use some of your help on the manners part, lol. He needs a lot of work, consistant work, but I know he's manageable, he just needs someone with good dog savvy. I get happy when at the end of our walk we're doing something that resembles loose leash walking, lol.

Originally Posted by sheplovr

I tried twice to work at Orphans of the Storm our shelter. I walked in one day and say puppies in a container. I ask what is wrong with those little black beauties. She said: Oh they are being put to sleep. That did it, no more for me. I just could not tolerate seeing that stuff.

Yes, it can be difficult emotinally. But I look at it this way...this dog has a chance today to be adopted, I know what's going on in the back rooms, but today this dog doesn't have to face that, so let's make the most of this chance.

Originally Posted by mattmania843

Im 14 and want to do it this summer, but every animal shelter is very far away, like 2-3 buses minimum, maybe a few days this summer ill get my parents to drive me down and ill walk and socialize with the dogs.

My friend, I wish I could drive you to that shelter, I like seeing the younger faces being involved. However, you may want to check with the shelter first before showing up. I mention this only because my shelter requires that you be at least 18 years old to handle the dogs, and you have to attend a training class. Your shelter may be different, but definitely look into it.

Originally Posted by ScareCrow

I personally think it is going to be a great experience for them, even as young as they are.

If more parents were like you, our dogs would be so much better off. Kudos to you and your wife for being open to the experience.

[iwantmypup]

Thats great curb! And everyone .

I was going to volunteer this year.. but with pepper still in a bit of training I want to make sure she... like trained a bit more .. and I am busy..plus I am going for the summer and I don't wanna start then stop in like a couple weeks..( how selfish! of me()

I am making it a goal to volunteer when i get back.. I will be helping out at the adoption events.. I can't wait till I am old enough to walk them and stuff.being young I can't yet.

Yay!

-Ali

[briteday]

Our shelter has special areas where the younger volunteers can work. First they go thru a one week "camp" where they learn about the needs and behaviors of animals. Then they can volunteer as long as the are under adult supervision (parent, other kid's parent, crandparent, etc). They feel very useful since they are asked to work with bunnies and other small mammals. That particular area is completely self contained so the animals have no way to escape. The kids can take the bunnies out of the cages and play with them, let them stretch their legs, and give them treats. They help clean the cages of the other animals as well.

I enjoy going to the shelter each week. I try to choose a couple of dogs to "campaign" while I'm there. I give them a good brushing, take them out for some exercise in the yard, and then bring them into the shelter hallways to practice walking and give them exposure to potential adoptive families.

We are currently a no-kill shelter (recent change) but it is even more sad to see a dog live in a concrete box for a year or more. It's almost cruel. These particular dogs are so un-adoptable because they were left out 24/7 without any socialization, never had a leash on, have no manners whatsoever. And then there are the pitbulls. We run about 30% of our population is pits. People who have them breed them like wildfire thinking they are going to make a ton of money from selling them. Most of them end up in shelters here when the owners figure out they are way more dog than they can handle, or since our area has a huge meth problem, we'll get a handful of dogs every week from the police when they bust a meth lab.

Remember though, that if you can't donate your time you can donate things that shelters need. There is always a need for bags of cat litter, food (ours will take open bags), blankets, towels, bowls, toys, brushes, leashes, and newspapers...come to mind. So whatever you have to give, stick it in the car and drop it off the next time you pass the shelter. They will be so grateful. And you have contributed to helping the animals.

[PsiElement]

Originally Posted by ScareCrow

Actually I plan to take both my daughters to the local shelter we got Annie from starting next week. When we got Annie I asked if we could bring our daughters down to volunteer, with our help of course. The lady at the shelter actually got excited when I asked and gave me a list of things we could volunteer to do. I found it heartbreaking being in that shelter and so did my wife, so naturally my wife was worried about the kids being old enough to understand what's going on there. Well my girls proved to their mother that they could handle it when she walked in on them watching animal planet. That animal cops show was on and they were showing this dog that had the chain embedded in it's neck, very graphic and almost made my wife sick. She asked the girls what they were watching and they said they were watching some people trying to save the dogs life because some mean people didn't treat it right. That was good enough for her and now that schools out I can get them there when the shelter is open. I personally think it is going to be a great experience for them, even as young as they are.

My parents had me and my brother volunteer a lot at animal shelters when we were kids. One was a wild animal shelter, and I distinctly remember the first time I fed baby raccoons by bottle. I also remember working at a cat and dog shelter. It gave me an appreciation for the complexity of animals and a huge amount of compassion for their feelings. A lot of people treat animals as if they're all unfeeling robots. Not as feeling beings with individual personalities, quirks, fears, etc.. I definitely think volunteering at a shelter as a kid is a very positive and real experience, and one that really opens you up with compassion. The more people who know the plight of these animals, the better, really, and when I have children they'll definitely learn about community service through helping with animal shelters.


Anyway.. the hospital/kennel/daycare I work at is also a shelter. We house up to five dogs at time awaiting homes and take care of them. All of us who work there bring in extra blankets and toys for the dogs. I feel so terrible for them.. all the other dogs in the kennel get to go home in a set number of days, get someone to look forward to. These dogs at this point, don't. They're all pretty small (beagles, etc) and nice, they just need some work (one dog, Ricky, pees in excitement whenever we take him out to play for instance). But I know they have it better at our kennel then most other places. They go on a daily walk and they can play with the other dogs and staff. It's not the best life but it's far from the worst!

[opokki]

I currently volunteer at the SPCA for 2-3 hrs on my available Saturdays. Last year I volunteered at a different SPCA location but they wanted volunteers to keep a strict schedule and I was having too many scheduling confilicts to pull it off. The one I'm at now is not strict and is much easier for me with my already busy schedule.

There is a large Rottie x that sounds like Blitz. He's been there for several weeks already and was adopted but returned for being "too active". He's a great dog and works very well for me. With a little training and regular exercise I think he'd make a wonderful companion. I would love to adopt him myself if that was an option.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by mattmania843

Im 14 and want to do it this summer, but every animal shelter is very far away, like 2-3 buses minimum, maybe a few days this summer ill get my parents to drive me down and ill walk and socialize with the dogs.

There are lots of animal rescues that you could foster a dog in your home. You can sometimes get backround info, pick the age, size, and breed. I did it for years and loved it, I drove to PA to rescue a Mom dog who had ten pups at my house. It was fun for all but what alot of work, I can't give good breeders enough credit after that experience. Check with your parents on that and in helping this was you have choice on where you want the dog to go.

[MyDogShelby]

I've never volunteered, but a month or so ago I thought about doing it. I love dogs, and would love to help out by walking, or even training the shelter dogs. There is this one really nice animal shelter, I mean, it is really a top notch, clean and friendly environment, only problem is that its really far away.

There isn't enough time in the day to add volunteering to my list...at least not at this time Kudos to anyone who is or will be volunteering at their local animal shelters...I applaud you

[Quincy]

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

So, when do you plan on volunteering at your shelter?

Over the years I have done some volunteering now and then. My talent specialty is dog training where I feel you may know what doggies the local shelter wants me to foster in my home for a while. But haven't done any for a while now as I've been focusing on service dog training for physical disabilities.
.