Every day, animal shelters, humane societies and rescue organizations open their doors to find a multitude of people looking to adopt their dream pet or, unfortunately, those trying to give their pet away simply because the dog or cat has suddenly become an inconvenience. Some, however, have legitimate reasons for having to re-home their beloved pet and are heartbroken over this prospect. There are all types of humans who visit these pet “refuges”– and most come in for a variety of reasons.

SHELTER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Many people walk in to a shelter and think it seems like a fun and easy job – just sitting and playing with the furry felines and energetic dogs all day. They have no idea, however, about the hard work and dedication of the staff to run a shelter. There are many different aspects and jobs to fill – many of which aren’t so fun and carefree. In fact, finding and keeping good volunteers is crucial in making a shelter run smoothly. 

 “There are some things that happen day in and day out,” says Bonney Brown, executive director of the Nevada Humane Society [www.nevadahumanesociety.org] in Reno, Nevada, “365 days a year – such as cleaning, feeding and looking after all the animals.” In other words, there are no holidays when you work at an animal shelter.

SHELTER MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP:

"Running an animal shelter is a challenge,” reveals Sandy Parr, president of Pet Refuge, Inc. for the past 27 years, “Not only must you see to the health and welfare of the animals in your charge, but you must also concern yourself with the constant upkeep of the building itself as well as the financial health of the organization.” Whether you are a non-profit, donations-only facility or a government-funded (which isn’t fully funded) organization, there is never enough money for all the sudden problems which can crop up . . . and only monetary donations from the public can pay to fix them. 

Building maintenance is a constant worry for shelter directors. “Maybe the pumps to clean the dog kennels go on the fritz,” suggested Brown. Also, it isn’t unusual for local businesses (such as a plumbing company) to donate the materials (or at least labor expenses) to fix something such as Brown’s example of busted dog kennel pumps.

SHELTER FUNDING:

Vaccinations, spay/neutering and any medical issues of an animal when enter a shelter the most challenging aspect that any director will face. “In addition to the ongoing care, these animals are counting on us to reach out to the public, to encourage people to adopt pets and to donate,” says Brown, “We rely on gifts from the public to make our lifesaving work possible and so we are constantly working on special events, creative adoption promotions and other outreach activities.” Donations and volunteers are the heart of any and all shelters so please consider helping these shelters to keep their doors open in any way you can.

Finally, when asked why she continues to work in a position that oftentimes seems like a thankless job, Brown proudly reminds us, “It's incredibly rewarding. Every day you know that you're part of saving precious lives. We get to see happy dogs and cats go home with their delighted new families. We get to see injured and neglected animals get the care and attention they need and go on to thrive.

 “It often involves long hours but,” she continues, “unlike many jobs you could have, you know that you are making a very real difference in the lives of innocent animals and the people who care about them.” That, in and by itself, seems reason enough to head out to your local shelter today. 

Helping save lives is the best gift you can give to the world . . . and perhaps even, especially, to yourself.