So I'm thinking of Volunteering at the Humane Society...

[ladyfreckles]

Do you guys think I should do it?

I used to do a lot of work from home as a server administrator but lately things have been very slow. I'm no longer working on as many start-up projects as I was. I have a completely open schedule. Throughout High School I used to volunteer at a horse rescue. I've never done a rescue with dogs or cats though, mostly because the shelters in my home town were kill shelters and I didn't want to go anywhere near there (I was 13 at the time and very squeemish).

I have a lot of time on my hands now and I want to learn as much as possible and help as many animals as possible. Orientation is in two weeks and if I decide to do it it's a 6 month commitment. Should I?

[onyx'girl]

You have a baby puppy right now, right? If so, I would wait for a couple months before you do that. You do not want to bring home anything that could harm your pup. After your pups immune system is strong, then it may be safe. I quit volunteering at my rescue when I brought my pup home...wasn't worth the risk to him. Maybe doing some office work?

[Emoore]

Agree with Onyxgirl. Wait until Viking has had his shots. In theory the sterilization procedures at the shelter should be good, but I work in rescue and there was no way I was going near a shelter when my puppy hadn't had all his shots yet.

After that, go for it! It's very rewarding.

[msvette2u]

I agree.
When doing animal control I'd strip down and leave my boots in the laundry room apart from the main part of house, and wash my clothes and shower before interacting with my dogs, and they were adults at the time.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

You have a baby puppy right now, right? If so, I would wait for a couple months before you do that. You do not want to bring home anything that could harm your pup. After your pups immune system is strong, then it may be safe. I quit volunteering at my rescue when I brought my pup home...wasn't worth the risk to him.

There's also an orientation on February 14th and March 20th. March 20th might be better, to ensure all the vaccinations have taken effect. It's just a matter of should I do it, or should I not. One of my friends volunteers at a local cat rescue and she says she's learned a ton of invaluable information from there. I learned a LOT about horses when I was at my old horse rescue as well. Dogs I have been around my whole life, but there's always more to learn and there's so much I don't know. I want to really get involved in the animal community around here and help.

Originally Posted by msvette2u

I agree.
When doing animal control I'd strip down and leave my boots in the laundry room apart from the main part of house, and wash my clothes and shower before interacting with my dogs, and they were adults at the time.

Those are good tips. Pat's a germophobe so shoes rarely ever leave the garage entrance (which is on a separate floor from the living area of the house) or the front closet. If he catches me bringing shoes into the house he start washing the carpet or cleaning the kitchen floor. All that would be left is sneaking upstairs for a shower and not interacting with Viking on the way.

[chelle]

I have really considered volunteering time at the shelter. My workplace is literally across the street. I haven't done it because I just can't stretch my time that thin. I'd probably also end up with 22 dogs at my house. It is still something I'm really interested in, though.

[qbchottu]

It's rewarding, but very hard. Note that just because they are a "humane society" doesn't mean they don't euthanize. My local humane society does euthanize.
Good:
-knowing you are helping animals that don't have homes
-personally rewarding
-at the shelter I volunteered at, dogs were taken out of their crates when workers or volunteers took dogs for walks so it's nice knowing that you can provide the dogs you take out with their highlight of the day
-being around different breeds, types, personalities and learning from them
-helping adopters find a good match
-making friends with other dog people
Bad:
-you can't save them all
-it's heartbreaking to leave them (especially the puppies that cry)
-there is almost never enough room or money so some will get left behind
-neglected and abused animals come in frequently and it can be difficult to face that
-you can pick up diseases and take it home to your dogs
-you can get hurt by aggressive dogs
-administration/bureaucratic issues
-ignorant and stupid people that come in on a daily basis and have no right owning a dog
-I sometimes still cry when I remember the sad cases

[qbchottu]

After seeing that you have a pup at home, I would say wait till he's older. While your intentions are noble, why risk your boy at home unnecessarily? If you still want to go ahead, I like msvette2u's idea about being very fastidious with disinfecting yourself before coming anyone near your pup. I have a rescue that was the only survivor out of a shelter parvo outbreak that claimed 20 or so other pups in a span of 2 weeks. Watching a puppy die from parvo is heartbreaking. Be careful!

[msvette2u]

I do think it would be good for you to volunteer. If you can keep the puppy safe while you do so (and still find time to train him) you should probably do it.
It might change your mind about rescued pets...and you might never want to purchase again!
I'm not saying for 100% sure that'll all happen, but you'll gain new perspectives I am sure.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

It's rewarding, but very hard. Note that just because they are a "humane society" doesn't mean they don't euthanize. My local humane society does euthanize.

Yeah, I was just mentioning it because at the time I couldn't bear to be somewhere like that. Now I've grown up a bit and I'm more able to face things like that.

Good:
-knowing you are helping animals that don't have homes
-personally rewarding
-at the shelter I volunteered at, dogs were taken out of their crates when workers or volunteers took dogs for walks so it's nice knowing that you can provide the dogs you take out with their highlight of the day
-being around different breeds, types, personalities and learning from them
-helping adopters find a good match
-making friends with other dog people
Bad:
-you can't save them all
-it's heartbreaking to leave them (especially the puppies that cry)
-there is almost never enough room or money so some will get left behind
-neglected and abused animals come in frequently and it can be difficult to face that
-you can pick up diseases and take it home to your dogs
-you can get hurt by aggressive dogs
-administration/bureaucratic issues
-ignorant and stupid people that come in on a daily basis and have no right owning a dog
-I sometimes still cry when I remember the sad cases

Oh man that is an excellent pro/con list. These are definitely some things to consider. I remember a few horses that came to us in such awful health that we couldn't save them. One died in his stall one night and I was unlucky enough to find him. It was horrible. His owner had been starving him, never bothered putting horse shoes on him, and had used some sort of spiked bit in the gelding's mouth. He was very sick when he came to us--beyond repair. That's something I will never forget. But when I look back there were so many horses we helped. One of them had been broken in by someone who didn't know what they were doing and developed his muscles all wrong. His spine had a very serious curve and was warped. After four months or so he looked good as new and was amazing under saddle. It can be very hard and very rewarding.

There are definitely a lot of risks to consider though. I'll really need to think about it over the next few months.

Originally Posted by msvette2u

I do think it would be good for you to volunteer. If you can keep the puppy safe while you do so (and still find time to train him) you should probably do it.
It might change your mind about rescued pets...and you might never want to purchase again!
I'm not saying for 100% sure that'll all happen, but you'll gain new perspectives I am sure.

My cats are both rescues. I love rescues. The hard part is avoiding rescuing every single one.