I commend your efforts as my daughter goes to a private school and community service is very inportant to their program. She is asked to do 40 hours of community service per semester for the community NOT a relative. She chose Humane Society and I couldnt be more proud! Yes take precautions like the shoes and even a change of clothes, the point behind what you are doing is comendable, afterall if you don't do it who will?? what if everyone said no??? Your a kind person!