What to Expect as an Animal Shelter Volunteer
Unknown to a large percentage of Americans, there is an epidemic spreading in the United States. It effects every neighborhood in every income bracket. It transcends age, race, and gender. It is an epidemic that is very real, and very deadly, even if the victims it claims are unknown and unnamed. The epidemic is the overwhelming amount of dogs and cats who end up in shelters across the country, for a variety of reasons completely out of the animal's control. A staggering three to four million cats and dogs are destroyed each year, largely because there are few people to tell their tales and help secure them loving homes.
In this fight against these senseless deaths, there is a beacon of light and hope. These are the volunteers, who donate their time and energy to providing humane conditions, tender love, and sanitary environments for the animals in their care. If you have decided to become a volunteer at an animal shelter, congratulations. You will be helping to lead the way in giving our furry friends the attention and housing conditions they so desperately need and deserve.
Volunteering at an animal shelter is more than petting dogs and cats who are awaiting their forever homes, though this is definitely a role. One of the most important roles a volunteer can fill is helping to keep a dogs' kennel sanitary, warm, and dry. Without the ability to relieve itself outdoors, many dogs, even house-trained, end up soiling their runs. Not only is this unsanitary, but it does not benefit the dog who may be being looked at for adoption. If a dog has been walking in feces and urine, odds are not as high that someone will want to take it out or spend much time petting and bonding with it. As a volunteer, you can help to manage the problem as it arises, as well as take the dogs out to relieve themselves in an appropriate location. This serves another purpose, which is time outside of the run.
Spending time outside of the kennel environment is hugely important for our canine companions. Dogs who are thoroughly exercised tend to bark much less than those who haven't spent time out of doors. Their instances of developing neurotic behaviors (such as paw-licking and tail-chasing) are lower than an animal who is constantly caged. Another positive point is a pet who is allowed outdoors on a consistent basis will be more interested in the potential adopter, rather than smelling and pulling on lead. All of these are obviously beneficial, and will lead to higher adoption rates.
Cats and kittens also are in need of kennel maintenance. With the amount of felines most shelters hold, there is the inevitable problem of odor from litter boxes. Extreme odor from litter boxes in need of cleaning will make the adoption process less pleasant for visitors, and less cats will be adopted. If you can offer time to help keep runs and kennels clean and sanitary, you will be doing them a great service.
Something to expect as a shelter volunteer is a high level of noise. Cats will be meowing, dogs will be barking, cage doors will be slamming, and there will generally be much conversation among workers and potential adopters. Add this to fan or air conditioner noise, possibly a radio, and other environmental noises, and the volume levels reached can be unpleasant. The levels reached are not harmful and will not cause hearing damage, but they may certainly trigger a headache. Be sure to bring a pain reliever with you if you are sensitive to jarring sounds.
The biggest challenge a shelter volunteer faces, is the pain and sorrow that comes with a favorite animal not being adopted. Bonding with the dogs and cats is normal and unavoidable, but every so often an animal will not find an adopter and will have to be euthanized. It is a terrible reality of working with abandoned or unwanted pets- sometimes, they can't all be saved. Expect to occasionally have to grieve for the loss of an animal, but don't let it dissuade you from volunteering. Take comfort in the fact that the pet felt comfort, love, safety and peace under your care. Use the memory of the animal to help fuel your efforts to educate the public about this national tragedy. Raise funds for shelters in the dog or cat's name. Advocate for the animals you are helping. Network online to get dogs and cats pulled into breed specific rescue, spread the word about a particularly great animal you work with. Don't become discouraged by set backs or failures, even one animal saved is reason to celebrate.
For all of the unfortunate truths about volunteering at a shelter, the joy and satisfaction derived from helping to end this epidemic is immeasurable. You do have the ability to bring peace and comfort to innocent animals, and to find them caring homes. Through education, you can teach a child to never view their pet as disposable. All it takes is signing up to help at your local animal shelter. Not only will you be helping yourself to feel good, you'll be helping to save lives.
