Submitted by Katie Blackman, Volunteer Coordinator, Washington Humane Society
It has been said that, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” As the Volunteer Program Coordinator at the Washington Humane Society, I get to see just how true this is every day. In the past 12 months alone our volunteers have donated 2,712 hours of service between our 5 locations. That averages out to about 57 hours a week! Our volunteers can be found scrubbing cages and kennels, socializing shy dogs and cats, taking dogs out for much needed P.A.C.K. runs, making appointments for our Spay and Neuter clinic, and helping out with special events. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Volunteers have offered their assistance during emergencies situations. We bore witness to our incredible volunteers grabbing large bags of very dirty laundry to be washed at Laundromats or even in their own homes when our washing machine broke. Volunteers rushed to our aid again when a severe storm knocked out power out and cleaned cages and kennels by flashlight. When snow falls, our volunteers are at our doors ready to shovel sidewalks and alleyways. In the heat of summer, our volunteers brave the high temperatures to make sure our pups get some much needed outside time.
There is no greater example of the difference our volunteers make in the lives of our animals then in the story of Gracie. Gracie, a beautiful, young, black, pit-bull type dog, was seized by one of our Humane Law Enforcement Officers in October of 2009 because her owners were leaving her outside in all weather with no shelter. Under socialized and completely lacking any training, Gracie was not the “pick of the litter” to potential adopters. Our Doggie STEPs (Shelter Training and Enrichment Programs) and P.A.C.K. (People and Animals Cardio Klub) volunteers soon came to Gracie’s rescue. P.A.C.K. runners took Gracie and other shelter dogs for group runs at Hain’s Point, Rock Creek Park, and the National Mall, every Saturday. Doggie STEPs volunteers conducted extra manners training sessions with Gracie, teaching her everything from sits to stays. Because of their hard work over the nine months that Gracie, now one of the stars of our anti-cruelty media campaign, was at the Georgia Ave shelter, she was adopted. Her new family was thrilled to report that all those training sessions paid off big time when she tested out of beginner manners training and was moved right into the intermediate class.
As kitten season, the time of year when unspayed cats give birth, rears its ugly head, I am amazed at how many of our volunteer foster families are flocking to the shelter to pick up fragile kittens for round the clock care. This is no small undertaking, as these neonatal kittens need to be hand fed every few hours 24 hours a day. Our foster families take in senior dogs and cats, animals in need of medical care, animals unable to cope with the stresses of shelter life, and animals in need of socialization.
WHS owes a HUGE “Thank You” to the hard work donated by all of our volunteers and foster families and there is no better time that National Volunteer Appreciation week to do just that. Without you we would not be able to touch the lives of over 30,000 animals in the District every year. Your hard work and dedication to our mission makes a world of difference to not only the animals in our care but to the community at large. On behalf of all of the staff and animals here at the Washington Humane Society, thank you, you all truly are priceless.
To become a member of our volunteer family, please visit the prospective volunteer section of our website, washhumane.org, and fill out an application. To become a part of our dog foster family, please email Louisa Phillips at Lphillips@washhumane.org for more information. To become a part of our cat foster family, which is especially important during kitten season, please email Alyson Burgess at Aburgess@washhumane.org.
Click here to see the award winning anti-cruelty PSA featuring Gracie and other WHS rescues
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