If a visit to the local animal shelter makes you sad and mad, you may be ideally suited to be a direct care volunteer.
Humane societies, rescue operations, and all welfare organizations need men and women willing to tackle hands-on care; people who don’t flinch at noise, smells, physical work, crises, or, worst of all, dealing with the public. But first and foremost, direct care requires empathy (not just pity or sympathy or love) and also indignation. Yes, indignation at the circumstances that render animals homeless, unwanted, and often scarred physically and mentally is the fuel that fires long-term volunteers, which in direct animal care amount to less than 30% of those who sign up. Ironically, empathy and indignation – the desirable attributes – are also what can drive some enthusiastic volunteers to quit and what can keep potential candidates away.
Tulsa Shelter volunteer Jordan Thompson plays with a lab up for adoption
It’s a given that being in direct contact with the most helpless, innocent, and unprotected victims of society takes its toll on emotions. Dealing with an endless stream of dogs, cats and other discarded creatures – from newborns to geriatric, healthy or unable to stand, once pampered or having known nothing but misery, highly adoptable or presumably hopeless – can be too painful, too frustrating, too sad, for a right-minded person to endure …. Unless, that is, one broaches the issue constructively.
Embrace the concept that there is no gain without pain; without volunteers giving generously of themselves, homeless animals could not be spared. It can be overwhelming at first, but according to every direct care volunteer I have interviewed, the key to success is perseverance. The initial despair evolves into a sense of mission. The dread becomes a drive. As consecutive emotional hurdles are cleared, volunteers gain skills, strength, and the realization that they are improving lives; saving lives. As a last-year medical student who volunteers at the Houston SPCA, put it: “It becomes addictive.”
There are fringe benefits too. Yet another volunteer, a petroleum engineer, told me that the unwanted pounds he could not lose in an expensive gym, melted away walking dogs at the shelter; and loving it. But not all of us are fit to control a 100-pound canine bent on running to the next county. Direct animal care includes smaller pets, birds and exotics, feeding puppies and kittens, socialization exercises and behavior evaluations, and possibly the most crucial of all volunteer activities (in the comfort of your own home): Foster home care for animals who need medical attention, maturing or fattening up, learning social skills, or some much needed R&R after a long time in the shelter. If direct care is not for you, there are numerous activities in administration, promotion, fund-raising, retail, special events, and more that keep animal welfare organizations running. The important thing is to act.
Volunteers with PAWS working on envelope stuffing for a fund raising event. From left: Casey Largent, Elaine Hammer, Cat Dufau, Dianne Smith, Beau Adams, and Allen Suzor.
Everyone develops a code of conduct they find useful. The following points are some recommendations gleaned from conversations with experienced volunteers.
- Persevere. Don’t give up just because it is overwhelming or heart wrenching or infuriating … If you do, the animals lose; and so do you. As you grow stronger and realize how critical your help is, you will look forward to it.
- Set a realistic regime of hours you will serve and stick to it, as if it were a paying job (which, in a sense, it is). Reevaluate your schedule, performance, and emotional condition at the end of three months.
- Cooperate with shelter staff and fellow volunteers. Always help others and ask for help if you need it. No task is insignificant if it benefits an animal.
- Don’t complain or criticize. Most rescue facilities are understaffed, in need of repairs, better equipment, and supplies. Knowing this, make the best with what you’ve got or help improve the situation. Create consensus on viable changes and innovative solutions, and work toward their implementation.
- Maintain your sense of humor … or develop one, because you will need it. Talk to the animals out loud as you would talk to a friend while you clean cages, walk or groom them, or simply are in their proximity. Don’t feel awkward doing this, because your voice is therapy to them.
- Use volunteerism as a springboard for education and growth. Read animal care books, attend seminars, know your organization, discuss practices with experienced personnel … anything that makes you more effective at helping animals. Ask questions. Share your knowledge.
- “Chill” if you deal with people who surrender their pets. Listen to their reason/excuse but don’t take it at face value, because they usually blame the animal for their own mistakes. Take the surrendered pet away from their presence ASAP; it’s too late for pretending they care. Don’t waste your time or emotions on those people; concentrate on helping the animals.
- Refer to (4) if you deal with the public in adoptions. Help potential adopters find the correct match; i.e., athletic dogs with athletic people; seniors with seniors; etc. Inform people with children of the situations that may cause a perfectly good dog or cat to bite. Learn which breeds may be a liability with children. Don’t assume adopters know the basics of pet care or training; give them useful tips.
- Look sharp and cheerful even if you are holding a mop. Volunteers are the face of the organization and of the very concept of animal welfare! Don’t act like a prison guard, but like the champion you are of wonderful animals and of a noble cause.
- Value your own contribution. A bath, a walk, or any kindness to an animal could well be the happiest moment that creature has known. Enabling animals to regain their physical strength and trust in people, preparing them for a better life, is life-saving work. What could be more important?
Large and small animal welfare organizations rely on volunteers for their existence. If you want to help animals in a big way but don’t have a million dollars to donate, then determine the size, philosophy, and speed of the local organization that suits you, and volunteer. Don’t say “I couldn’t bear it;” you may be surprised at your own strength.
On the inevitable times when the spirit sinks and you – like animal welfare workers everywhere – think you can’t take it any longer, choose a cage, any cage, and go inside or sit by it. Tell the occupant of your frustration, your lack of time, your inability to continue … cry if you feel like it. Maybe he or she can persuade you to stay.
Story by Dolores Probasta
