Volunteering at an animal shelter?

Question

I recently signed up to volunteer at a nearby animal shelter.

Yesterday I went in for a tour and stuff and I felt SO BAD for the animals.

It's not a no-kill shelter, but they only euthanize the animals that are really sick or have behavior problems - they don't kill just to make space. The dogs are healthy enough. And they try to brighten up the cages by putting comfy blankets and beds and colorful chew toys. And they're indoor-outdoor (meaning that each dog has a little doggie door so they can go inside or outside). But the cages are concrete and the dogs don't look happy. Who would be?

My job as a volunteer would be to clean, do laundry, and play with the dogs.

But I don't know if I can do it. I'm so haunted by those dogs. I mean, one pitbull mix has been there since February, and the Australian Shephards that came in earlier that day already had people fighting to adopt them. And the pittbull was just sitting there all depressed and sad watching the shephards get taken home.

If I stay and volunteer it's going to be really depressing. I already am a little depressed by it.

But at the same time the least I could do is stay and try to brighten up those dogs lives, right? But then again it's not much of a life even with me coming in to walk them around in a huge but enclosed grassy area they probably have memorized.

I don't know what to do. My heart is literally breaking for those dogs, and I want to make them happy. But I don't know if I can handle it.

Answer 1

As a volunteer myself, at first it is a little bit difficult because, like you said, not every dog is happy.  When you are working you need to be thinking that just that little time that you spend with the dogs you are making a difference.  Not only are you helping animals but you are helping your community.  It gets easier trust me.

Answer 2

A job with animals...well people get it cofused..thinking it's all puppies and kittens...and they are WRONG!! It can be stressful...it's HIGHLY dangerous, and you come home stinking!! Your priority should not be...OMG I just LOVVE animals. You need to be slightly fearless, have a strong stomach, and be able to keep your composuer. I mean...I have to kinda be in my own world. I can't cry everytime we put an animal to sleep...you have to go to work a lot and say "this is my job" if you have any doubts...don't do it. People think this job is rainbows and sunshine...Think about what your getting into! And just for you....don't ever volunteer somewhere like this...You don't need a degree to be a Vet. Assitant or Shelter employee. I wouldn't do anything until I got paid.

Answer 3

You are doing a good thing for them by volunteering. But do you think your family would be able to foster? If you can, go for it. That way you could help keep dogs happier and out of that situation while still helping to find them a home.  

Answer 4

try your best to find them a home...don't just play with them...take some pictures and send them to anyone you know to help.

Answer 5

your doing a good thing volunteering. I'm trying to find volunteer work myself at a no-kill shelter.

Try not to think that oh the pitbull has been there since feb, because if it wasn't at a no-kill shelter, it would of been put down by now.

Someone will adopt it oneday.

But still do volunteer. You will get great expereince out of it. And wouldn't it be great to see the dogs get adopted into a good home?

Answer 6

I cried most every night for about 3 months when I first started volunteering at my local shelter.  It subsides in time, somewhat.  You gain experience handling all types of dogs (put a price on that) and the dogs get some special one on one time and training when they're lucky.  The sad part is, for some of these dogs, this is the most meaningful time they've spent with humans for quite some time.

Fostering is another option well worth pursuing.  The rescue groups I worked with had the dogs in my home for 1-3 months.  You get attached and it hurts like nothing else I can describe when they are rehomed.  The hurt strikes a little closer to home, but it's as every bit as rewarding.  Good luck with whatever option you choose.

Answer 7

Find a trick to teach them such as high five or play dead. They will look forward to the training and will be even more adoptable. By the way you could always contact breed rescue organizations when there time is running out.

Answer 8

the dogs need you. they might look sad now but after a while they will start to look happy because of you. you are saving there lives.

Answer 9

Trust me, it may be depressing to SEE, but to experience working there, or volunteering there, is the MOST rewarding thing you will ever do.  Animals can not talk to us, they simply can't.  We don't know why they are there, who may be to blame, etc etc, all we know is that they are there.  period.  It is up to you to make this less-than-ideal situation fun for them.  They depend on you.  They don't have a family, they may not even know what a family is, be that for them until their chance comes.  I have worked in the same situation, and in fact, still do.  I promise, you can have the worst day or night of your life, and the minute you get in there and those animals wag their tails for YOU and your presence, your day is automatically brightened up.  You are what they need, what the depend on, what they live for.  It's a temporary situation for them, they will find sometihng better (a family), but until then, be everything for them.  You could even ask the shelter staff if you could take a dog home each week for some in-home training or foster care.  The dogs need exercise, food, etc, but more than that, teach them manners so their chances of adoption are higher.  Then maybe you could put a list up on their cage cards of what that particular dog can do.  IE - "This dog is working on "sit", "stay", etc...  It will let the potential owners know that this shelter cares enough about thier dogs to work with them individually.  Whatever you decide to do with these animals every day, will stick with them in their lives.  So make it as great for them as possible and BE HAPPY you are there.  You will love it, I promise :)

Thank you for caring about these animals!!!!

Answer 10

I felt similar when I started helping out at my no kill shelter. But then I asked myself, If I don't who will? Would these dogs be better off with me helping them, or only thinking of my own selfish emotions?

Then the answer became clear. You are doing a great thing!