?'s about volunteering @ animal services/control :dogsm3::animal-sm:dog::dogsm2::dogsm4::bunny::doghop: :cat: :yorkieg: Yes, I'm up way past my bedtime, but I've been browsing the web & thought about volunteering at the animal services/animal control here in Kalamazoo. I know it will definitely pull my heart strings but hopefully that would encourage me to be more active in helping these innocent babies out. My main concern is being around all of the dogs that have God knows what...would that put Princess in danger when I come home from there? She is UTD on all shots, on Frontline & heartworm injection but I still feel kind of paranoid. What do you think? Would you do it? Do you think I would be in much of a danger either? Thanks for your input, I hope to contact them by early next week.:) |
After 4am girl...you are up late! My excuse is international phone calls...what's yours? lol My daughter was a volunteer at our local humane society her junior & senior years in high school. They didn't let volunteers near newly surrendered dogs until they had been vetted and evaluated. I would think for safety, your animal control office would operate by the similar principals. She really enjoyed being with all the animals...walking them, feeding them, even cleaning out cages! It pulled at her heartstrings though to see the sad state of some of the animals, especially the old ones that were there for months & never adopted. The provided shirts for her & she always hit the shower as soon as she came home from there, just cos she smelled like animal herself. The clothes went in the washer immediately. She never had a problem with any disease or parasites. |
I worked full time at the local no-kill shelter here for five years. I did intake of new animals, cleaning, medicating, driving to vet's office with them in my own car, and handled adoptions. I just made sure to leave my smock at work where it was washed daily, and washed my own clothing right away. I also changed my shoes before I went home. I had a dog and a cat when I started working there and I never brought home any diseases .... I did however bring home a puppy, many orphan kittens, and a few dogs that I fostered! :D I think that it's great that you want to volunteer :thumbup: |
I volunteer every wednesday at the no kill shelter near me. I started out walking dogs and then they were in jeopardy of closing so they eliminated some jobs and asked for volunteers to commit to some of the work. So now I work in the Animal Health area where all the new cats and dogs come in. I update medical charts and microchip info. I sit in the cat isolation room and just change my shoes when I get home. The first day I went for dog walking training, I wanted to run out of there. The dogs barking in the kennels and feeling so bad for them. But I made myself think of them not me and it is very rewarding. I have been doing this for over 3 years and never had a problem. I don't think I could do it if the place wasn't so dedicated to the animals and love each and every one that comes in the door. I hope you give it a try. |
Thank you for the replies.:) I'm going to call them Monday. It will be sad, I'm sure, but if I can bring them just one second of joy it will be worth it. I hope I don't steal any babies.;) |
It's not a bad idea to change clothes and shoes before coming home. I'm in similar environments all the time (vet office, ER, spay/neuter facility, rescue) and have made a personal decision to not do the above. Ellie goes with with sometimes and I'm in scrubs while needing to take her out to pee, so she is exposed anyway. And she spends the day with me right around other animals sometimes. And when she goes for tests and if they decide to have her walk (or lay against their shirts), then again she is exposed to things. And outside also... I have not had a problem with her getting anything, but I'm not really concerned about it either. I believe she is covered against most serious "catchy" things and the rest I'm not too worried about treating. By the way, if you are getting the heartworm injection, you may want to check and make sure that it covers intestinal parasites like the monthly ones do (and that you are comfortable with the use of this drug at all - it was taken off teh market for awhile and the inactive ingredients were reformulated - it caused hundreds of deaths). |
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