Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello everyone! I've just been given our volunteer department to manage. We already have a starting base with some amazing volunteers and a coordinator over the department BUT we need more volunteers. I'm looking for all the information and ideas you have. I'd love to get ideas on different ways you use volunteers in your shelter, I'd also love to possibly get copies of the SOPs you have for the department. I have a few small ideas but I'd love to grow this program to help with enrichment and playgroups with the dogs (yes, I know this will come with some training). I'd love to have our volunteers assisting with adoption events and getting out in our community to help spread the work of Memphis Animal Services. One of the first things I'm working on is a table at a local pet store with information about us and what we are trying to do/offer the community.  

Thank you to anyone who can assist me. I'm also going to give my email in case you would like to talk 1:1: jessica.sidle@memphistn.gov

Hello Jessie!

I am of the belief that volunteers can do pretty much anything, with the exception or euthanasia and surgery (unless of course they are certified/licensed to do so in your state). We often forget that volunteers are regular people, just like us, oftentimes far more educated and talented than we are, but we don't always explore deep enough to uncover their talents/skills. Having managed a large open intake facility similar to MAS, life without volunteers would have been untenable. One example of high impact use of volunteers is training them to manage offsite adoption events, allowing you to do multiple in one weekend.  Volunteers are quite capable of cleaning, disinfecting, fluffing, running dog play groups, working the front counter, serving as a customer greeter, office work (filing, data entry, etc.), pet detectives, transporters, and on and on. Anything can be accomplished through the use of volunteers. We must end the notion that they just play with cats, fold laundry and do dishes. How you say? Simply let them. Volunteers should be given the same protocols and training as staff. The same expectations, the same continuity of feedback, and also held accountable if they fall short. So often I see organizations limiting what volunteers can do, thus stifling the growth of the organization. Again, the possibilities are endless.  There are wonderful examples all over the country. Hopefully others will chime in and share their thoughts on this very important topic. 

Best,

Gina

Hello everyone! I've just been given our volunteer department to manage. We already have a starting base with some amazing volunteers and a coordinator over the department BUT we need more volunteers. I'm looking for all the information and ideas you have. I'd love to get ideas on different ways you use volunteers in your shelter, I'd also love to possibly get copies of the SOPs you have for the department. I have a few small ideas but I'd love to grow this program to help with enrichment and playgroups with the dogs (yes, I know this will come with some training). I'd love to have our volunteers assisting with adoption events and getting out in our community to help spread the work of Memphis Animal Services. One of the first things I'm working on is a table at a local pet store with information about us and what we are trying to do/offer the community.  

Thank you to anyone who can assist me. I'm also going to give my email in case you would like to talk 1:1: jessica.sidle@memphistn.gov

Hello everyone! I've just been given our volunteer department to manage. We already have a starting base with some amazing volunteers and a coordinator over the department BUT we need more volunteers. I'm looking for all the information and ideas you have. I'd love to get ideas on different ways you use volunteers in your shelter, I'd also love to possibly get copies of the SOPs you have for the department. I have a few small ideas but I'd love to grow this program to help with enrichment and playgroups with the dogs (yes, I know this will come with some training). I'd love to have our volunteers assisting with adoption events and getting out in our community to help spread the work of Memphis Animal Services. One of the first things I'm working on is a table at a local pet store with information about us and what we are trying to do/offer the community.  

Thank you to anyone who can assist me. I'm also going to give my email in case you would like to talk 1:1: jessica.sidle@memphistn.gov

#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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Jessie Sidle
Memphis Animal Services
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