topic Re: Volunteering at Humane Society in Community Chat

Volunteering at Humane Society

elated — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:12:22 GMT

I really liked volunteering to walk the dogs but lately I have had second thoughts. I am getting e-mails from the Managers asking people to shovel snow, going and picking up city license, taking dogs to car dealers. I realize they are on a budget but I think this is going beyond volunteering. Also, when I have gone to walk the dogs, they have different levels to walk certain dogs. The last time I went I could only walk a few dogs because of the level. I was told by the manager they were going to have classes in January so I could go to the next level. I have been a volunteer since March of 2016.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

chrystaltree — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:23:00 GMT

Taking dogs to car dealers?

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Marp — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:27:17 GMT

At our local Humane Society volunteers do everything from clean cages to helping at meet and greet adoption locations. There are a couple that are strictly kitty cuddlers or work the phone and desk because infirmities prevent them from doing other activities.

Even the staff at the Humane Society thrift shop are all volunteers and do everything from receiving donations, sorting, laundry, etc.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

on the bay — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:28:32 GMT

I knew I couldn't volunteer at the humane society cause everytime I went I ended up leaving in tears.-made me miss mine too much. So I just donate also blankets and things.

I have found that a lot of the volunteering I did-whether with a bird rescue or others, involved pretty hard labor-cleaning out big cages with a big hose, scrapping and hauling out straw in a room. I would have liked to have fed the baby birds, but got to watch. I did get to babysit a duck in the bathtub! and hold a nice chicken

Everything was so muddy from the rain, you had to be really careful not to fall.

Another place for the poor had volunteers to sort, pack, hang clothes but you had to stand for hours-there was no place to sit.Another older couple with me wanted to help too but had to leave because they couldn't stand for hours either.

So yes, I've gotten the same impression re volunteering-its often too physically hard to do it, and you rarely get to do the fun, rewarding stuff.

The homeless/soup kitchen type places I went to had so many volunteers we were standing around waiting to help!

Maybe I've just gone to the wrong places but I pretty much keep to my neighborhood and helping neighbors like we all do for each other and my family.

And I'm happy giving energy to that.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

RipleyGirl — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:32:31 GMT

If they're not specifically asking you to do anything beyond what you feel comfortable with, then just keep dog walking and, if you want, taking the classes to move up in the levels. If anyone directly asks you, explain that you're not comfortable (or can't) do anything beyond dog walking.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

elated — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:40:05 GMT

@Marp wrote:
At our local Humane Society volunteers do everything from clean cages to helping at meet and greet adoption locations. There are a couple that are strictly kitty cuddlers or work the phone and desk because infirmities prevent them from doing other activities.

Even the staff at the Humane Society thrift shop are all volunteers and do everything from receiving donations, sorting, laundry, etc.

I use to volunteer at the Thrift Store and did not mind standing or putting out clothing on the racks. The place was so disorganized I had to explain to the other volunteers what to do. The manager was so not a good leader. The employees were so upset and distraught with the management that they were complaining. I stopped volunteering when we had a couple that came in and would clock in and eat for at least 45 minutes. They brought their lunch from McDonalds and ate. Other people had to clean up after them. This was so unfair because I would clock in and do my 2 hours as required. I enjoy volunteering. I guess I just need to find my niche.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Lucky Charm — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:44:50 GMT

@elated You've had to take dogs to car dealerships?

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

KathyPet — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:48:34 GMT

I would imagine the car dealership,offered to,hold a pet adoption event like they,do at the Petsmart.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

CrazyDaisy — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:53:39 GMT

Sounds like they are just sending out requests for help. You can do what you are comfortable doing for them. If you enjoy walking the dogs, then take the classes they will be offering so you can be available for a wider selection when you go in to work.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

elated — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:56:48 GMT

@RipleyGirl wrote:
If they're not specifically asking you to do anything beyond what you feel comfortable with, then just keep dog walking and, if you want, taking the classes to move up in the levels. If anyone directly asks you, explain that you're not comfortable (or can't) do anything beyond dog walking.

I do love walking the dogs but if you are not a certain level, there are very few dogs that you can walk. One time when I came in to walk the dogs, there were only four or five dogs. So, you have other volunteers that are on your level and there is no way you can walk the same dogs every half hour or so. I have asked over and over how they rate the dogs. I used to walk one dog every week and he was at my level. The next week he was rated at a different level so I could not walk him. This dog was very gentle and was no problem. They have done this on many occasions and it did not make any sense to me. I have asked the full time employees why it changed and the answers were very vague. One time they had the small dogs (10 lbs and under) on a level above mine. I asked and was told some of the dogs were acting up. This was very disappointing. I have asked if I could give the dogs water and was told someone else would do it. One time the water was spilled in the kennel and I asked to clean it up. They told me it would be ok and not to bother. I have taken dirty blankets out of the kennel and replaced them with clean blankets. I don't mind helping but it is not encouraged.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

SaRina — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:56:52 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Taking dogs to car dealers?

Maybe Rover wants to buy a Rover ??

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Moonchilde — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:05:33 GMT

@elated wrote:
@Marp wrote:
At our local Humane Society volunteers do everything from clean cages to helping at meet and greet adoption locations. There are a couple that are strictly kitty cuddlers or work the phone and desk because infirmities prevent them from doing other activities.

Even the staff at the Humane Society thrift shop are all volunteers and do everything from receiving donations, sorting, laundry, etc.
I use to volunteer at the Thrift Store and did not mind standing or putting out clothing on the racks. The place was so disorganized I had to explain to the other volunteers what to do. The manager was so not a good leader. The employees were so upset and distraught with the management that they were complaining. I stopped volunteering when we had a couple that came in and would clock in and eat for at least 45 minutes. They brought their lunch from McDonalds and ate. Other people had to clean up after them. This was so unfair because I would clock in and do my 2 hours as required. I enjoy volunteering. I guess I just need to find my niche.

I think part of the point of some posters is that they would like to, or wouldn't mind doing, more physical work but for physical reasons they can't, so although they want to volunteer, their options are limited. I'm in the same boat. All kinds of things I'd love to do, but I can't stand for more than 15-20 min., can only bend over for just so long, and am unable to kneel or get down on the floor. Nothing I can do about it. My opportunities are desk, phones, data entry, period.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Isobel Archer — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:11:00 GMT

I think when you volunteer you should know specifically what you will be required to do - before you start. This is not a paid job and people should not have to be surprised with unexpected tasks - and then be subject to criticism if they don't want to do something they never signed up for in the first place.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

ciao_bella — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:13:59 GMT

My daughter, who is an adult, volunteers at the county SPCA as a cat socializer. She picks the days she wants and hours and they don't put any pressure on her for other jobs. She loves it!

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Isobel Archer — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:15:36 GMT

@ciao_bella wrote:
My daughter, who is an adult, volunteers at the county SPCA as a cat socializer. She picks the days she wants and hours and they don't put any pressure on her for other jobs. She loves it!

That sounds like a great job!

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

123SuzyQ123 — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:16:30 GMT

I think my heart would break if I worked with dogs that need to be adopted. I have loved and lost five of the most wonderful doggie pets that anyone could imagine. Three of them lived to be almost 16 years old!!

I would just not be able to leave them there in those cages when it came time to go home every day. So, I protect my heart by not going there.

Blessings to all who are stronger and braver than me. You guys who work with pets are heroes to me!

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Meowingkitty — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:27:14 GMT

I used to volunteer at a local animal shelter and stopped because they always invited developmentally challenged teens and they made me nervous to be around them. I'm not what you would call "kid friendly". Any type of kid makes me uncomfortable. I also volunteered one other place when I worked because we would have volunteer week and we had to choose an organization. They had us sorting clothes and they wanted us to pull weeds. Mind you this was in the summer in Phoenix where the temps are well over 100 by 8:00 am. I just got discouraged.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

PinkSunset — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 21:57:36 GMT

I'm going to jump in here because I have volunteered at several local shelters and humane societies. they depend on volunteers for everything. they don't have the funds to hire a lot of people so the volunteers are invaluable. Everyone who volunteers wants to walk the dogs or play with the kitties, Who wouldn't? But there are so many more things important to the animals as well.

They deserve and need clean cages, freshly washed towels and blankets, clean litter boxes, clean cages, socialization, someone to take them to adoption events who knows them and can "talk them up".

The reason they are now wanting people to take classes for dog walking is this. Many voluntters are way out of their league walking dogs, especially strong dogs. The staff at shelters identifies dogs that are strong, pullers, those who can easily drag you across the trails and so forth. I have seen volunteers who on a walk had to drop the leads because the dog started dragging them. Trust me, it is not easy to walk all those dogs. They are cooped up in a kennel for many hours and when they finally get their time to exercise, they have tons of pent up energy and can easily overwhelm a handler. But the classes they offer show people correct wsy to get them out of c ages, put on a halter, how to walk them properly and so forth. Dogs have actually run away and got lost from walkers when the walker couldn't handle it,

I think if you volunteer then you should know that the duties are going to be whatever they ask you, provided you are physically able. If you can't do any hard physical work, then of course tell them when you sign up and it will be their decision if they can use you for the lighter work.

Volunteering is so important for these animals. I also volunteered at Best Friends in Utah and walking those dogs through the desert is very taxing, but so worth it. Take the classes and in the meantime show them how valuable you are with doing other chores whle you are there.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 22:01:57 GMT

I have worked with volunteers, and as a volunteer, on and off for years. I think it is up to the volunteer to decide what job(s) they want to do. The agency can offer and ask, but it is not like they can force you into it.

Speak up, make your desires known. As long as they still need you in the capacity you are comfortable with, they will continue to be happy to have you.

Re: Volunteering at Humane Society

elated — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 22:29:48 GMT

@PinkSunset wrote:
I'm going to jump in here because I have volunteered at several local shelters and humane societies. they depend on volunteers for everything. they don't have the funds to hire a lot of people so the volunteers are invaluable. Everyone who volunteers wants to walk the dogs or play with the kitties, Who wouldn't? But there are so many more things important to the animals as well.

They deserve and need clean cages, freshly washed towels and blankets, clean litter boxes, clean cages, socialization, someone to take them to adoption events who knows them and can "talk them up".

The reason they are now wanting people to take classes for dog walking is this. Many voluntters are way out of their league walking dogs, especially strong dogs. The staff at shelters identifies dogs that are strong, pullers, those who can easily drag you across the trails and so forth. I have seen volunteers who on a walk had to drop the leads because the dog started dragging them. Trust me, it is not easy to walk all those dogs. They are cooped up in a kennel for many hours and when they finally get their time to exercise, they have tons of pent up energy and can easily overwhelm a handler. But the classes they offer show people correct wsy to get them out of c ages, put on a halter, how to walk them properly and so forth. Dogs have actually run away and got lost from walkers when the walker couldn't handle it,

I think if you volunteer then you should know that the duties are going to be whatever they ask you, provided you are physically able. If you can't do any hard physical work, then of course tell them when you sign up and it will be their decision if they can use you for the lighter work.

Volunteering is so important for these animals. I also volunteered at Best Friends in Utah and walking those dogs through the desert is very taxing, but so worth it. Take the classes and in the meantime show them how valuable you are with doing other chores whle you are there.

I would like to go up to the next level to walk the dogs but I have asked several times. I was told a class would be offered in January. We were required to take a training class on how to put on gentle leaders and chain collars,how to enter and leave the kennels and how to get the dogs to do what you want with treats. I have walked dogs that were on my level and pulled me and wanted to run. I would run with the dogs. I am in good physical health (70 years old) and can handle most dogs. I owned two pitbulls and never had a problem. I have never been afraid of large dogs, in fact, I prefer them. I do not need light work. I can walk/run 5-6 miles so I have no need to pare down my activities. I will need to re-think this decision.