If you are ever looking to find a new family member and a friend or have some room and love to give, please visit your local animal shelters! I recently saw a statement on our local shelter's Facebook page that is so true: "Never judge dogs solely on their shelter behaviors. Abandonment is a very stressful, confusing, challenging, scary, and heartbreaking situation to deal with all at once."
My journey in volunteering began almost a year ago. As a family, we moved from Idaho to Utah in June 2022. About a month before the move, our wonderful 11-year-old cat Ivan kept developing abscesses in the same spot on his face. After the 3rd time this happened and a long conversation with our Vet about not knowing the cause, we decided it was time to let him journey across the rainbow bridge. It was such a challenging experience to let a beloved friend go, but it was the best choice for him.
Sadly, just a week before we moved, and a few weeks after losing Ivan, my beloved dog Layla, a beautiful sweet-tempered 12-year-old pit bull, woke up and could not walk. She had already had a knee replacement a few years before and had terrible arthritis in both knees. It was a devastating moment for me, but I knew the right thing for her was to let her go. She was a fantastic dog and friend who was with me through tough times and great times as well. I adopted her as a 7-month-old puppy from the local shelter; she was older than my son.
Once we had moved and settled in, a really good friend suggested that I should volunteer at the local shelter helping to walk dogs or whatever else they needed. There had been a post about how short-handed the shelter was. This is the case for shelters everywhere. They are full of pets that people got during covid times and then decided they didn't have time for after returning to work, as well as the continuous flow of neglect and abuse cases that come through the doors. It is so heartbreaking to see how people have failed these wonderful animals.
Volunteering at a shelter is something I had always thought about doing but decided against it because of how sad I would feel leaving the animals behind. What I've come to realize is that no matter how sad you might feel, you are bringing a little bit of much-needed love to some pretty incredible animals.
I have the honor of going in on either Saturday or Sunday every week and making sure that the kennels are cleaned well and that they have food and water. Many times it's walking back around the different rooms after the dogs have been fed and recleaning so they don't have to sit or step in their excrement for the next 24 hrs. It's not a fun or easy job, but these lovely animals are entirely at the mercy of those caring for them. So making a conscious effort to make sure they are clean, fed, and cared for is a responsibility we should take very seriously.
A group of volunteers from a military medical unit was in to help not so long ago, and I heard a few complaints: "If I had known what we were doing, I wouldn't have shown up." My first thought was how sad it was that they couldn't see that just a little bit of help goes a long way for these animals, followed very quickly by the thought that considering the type of job they are planning on having, how completely lacking in compassion these particular souls were. Most did not complain, but to the ones who did, I was hard-pressed not to say something.
There are so many sad and happy moments at the shelter. The best is when animals that have been there for a long time can find homes. The saddest is when some are too sick to make it or when these precious animals come in from abusive or hoarding situations, and you see their condition and fear. I've seen and cared for so many different animals. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, a goat just the other day, and cats and dogs. I am focusing this article on the dogs because I interact the most with them, but every animal in the shelter deserves love and a safe place to live.
As I write this article, the shelter is trying to find rescues to take two pit bulls, the last of 8 saved from a hoarding situation a year ago. After the conclusion of a court case, they were released to the shelter, and some were adopted out. The previous owner brought the case up again, and the ones left were put back on hold. They were finally released from that court hold again but had been at the shelter for so long. They must go to a rescue to ensure the previous owner does not send someone to adopt them. The two that are left have days left before their time is up. One has had a rescue step up, but the other has not. She has until tomorrow, and I just cry thinking about how she has never had a chance at a normal safe life.
I've seen dogs come in covered in wounds, mange, and a broken jaw that was never set so that the dog constantly has his tongue hanging out and drooling. It just continually and sadly never fails to amaze me how cruel humans can be to those that depend on us. At the same time, I work with volunteers and employees who so selflessly put their time and energy into ensuring these animals have some semblance of love and attention. They are amazing!
Of course, I have come home with a wonderful 7-year-old dog and a 13-year-old cat to add to the animals we did move with us. And if I could, I would bring home more, but it's not feasible for my family now. But I can spend 4-6 hours on the weekend helping and saying hello to all my friends at the shelter. So again, if you are looking for something to do that will make you feel so good… please look for volunteer opportunities at your local shelter. Also, if you want a fantastic family member… don't forget about the shelter. There are such incredible animals available just looking for love!
I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity to help care for so many incredible animals. Moving from Idaho to Utah was meant to be for us as a family in so many ways, but I really feel like I was meant to be here helping at this shelter. The right place and time, and an experience that I desperately needed.
Here a Few Ways to Help Out Shelter Animals:
- Adopt
- Volunteer
- Donate
- Foster
- Spread Awareness
- Engage with shelter social media posts: Like, comment, share
Remember the 3-3-3 Rule:
It typically takes 3 days for a shelter animal to decompress when brought to a new home. It take 3 weeks to learn your new routine. It takes 3 months to feel at home. Adjusting takes time, be patient, and remember every animal and situation is different.
Support for Demanding Days
As much as this work fills my heart, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Long hours, heavy lifting, and the emotional weight of caring so deeply all take their toll. That is why I lean on simple support to help me stay grounded and show up fully each week.
For steady, sustainable energy, I turn to AdrenaLove®. It helps me keep going on those long shelter days without feeling depleted. When my body feels the strain from cleaning, lifting, and walking dogs, PHYsiQOL™ supports my muscles and joints so I can continue doing the work that matters to me. And for the emotional side of things, the part that sits in your chest after a hard day, SereniZen® helps me unwind, reset, and come back to center.
Caring for others, whether animals or people, starts with caring for yourself too. When we support our own bodies and nervous systems, we are able to give more, love more, and stay in the work longer.
