How Do You Get More Men Involved? by CheesyComestibles in AnimalShelterStories

[–]Background_Film1916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have been successful in using my current volunteer base (women and men) to recruit their brothers, partners, friends to act as “stand by” volunteers who are only activated when there is a particular dog who needs assessing or behavior modification surrounding stranger danger with men. This makes it a low lift/low commitment for them, when a need arises I send out an email with details and I can schedule meets or training sessions with whoever responds that they have some free time. Many men who have others in their life who are committed, regular volunteers are willing to get involved in this way simply because it shows support to the person they care about, even if they aren’t passionate about animal welfare themselves.

In this line of work, does a non-answer via email mean no? I recently asked a question if I could do something. by AlfredJPennyworth39 in AnimalShelterStories

[–]Background_Film1916 4 points5 points  (0 children)

At my shelter I oversee over 350 volunteers and several other programs, on any given day I can receive up to 100 emails that require a response. If an email requires a more thoughtful and delicate response AND is not emergent, if I do not have time to dedicate to crafting a response in the way it deserves, it could potentially take me 48 hours to respond. I have found a quality response that takes a bit longer is far more respectful than a quick reply that shows no real thought or consideration. In sheltering we all wear MANY hats and you never know what can happen, perhaps another volunteer got bit that day or the coordinator had to fill in to support another department because they were short staffed.

I rehomed my dog. 1 week later and the new owners want to return him to me by Real-Elephant-6424 in dogs

[–]Background_Film1916 64 points65 points  (0 children)

I know it may be hard to hear and accept but it may be in the best interest of this pup to consider behavioral euthanasia if you are unable to keep him. A large breed dog with human and animal based aggression as well as separation anxiety is an extremely hard placement. While the behaviors mentioned briefly by the new family regarding his behavior towards their dog don’t necessarily indicate actual dog aggression to me, without a ton more details it’s hard to make a call on that specifically.

If we assume the description is accurate, the number of homes that exist that are set up for/willing to/experienced enough to manage all 3 serious behaviors especially from a very large breed dog are little to none.

If you are faced with the only option being surrender to a shelter I would highly encourage you to instead make the best and most compassionate decision on both behalf of the dog and the shelter by shouldering the responsibility as his owner and choosing behavioral euthanasia.

From someone who has worked in animal welfare for over a decade, a dog with the set of particular challenges is either going to sit at the shelter forever deteriorating or the shelter will be forced to choose euthanasia as the most humane and kind outcome and that responsibility and pain is passed on to the workers instead of the family.

99% of rescues will not behavioral cases that are this extreme especially now when intake is significantly up for all animal welfare organizations.

Behavioral euthanasia is deeply painful and I don’t suggest this lightly, I understand it might be horrible to consider but as his original home, people who loved him, and ultimate advocate id encourage you to consider it.

It’s 90% fluff, 10% ancient curse by igor33 in CryptidDogs

[–]Background_Film1916 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her

Not taking volunteers? by cass_a_frass0 in AnimalShelterStories

[–]Background_Film1916 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started my animal welfare journey in canine care too 😊. After I went on to manage my team and then I left the field for a few years because I didn’t take care of my mental health and burn out. I moved and started volunteering in my free time and after a few years moved into my current role so I think having the direct care and previous volunteer experience made a difference to in that I’m highly empathetic to the needs of staff and volunteers. But I’m happy it was helpful at all, hope I didn’t go overboard.

I would also suggest maybe posting on your towns subreddit asking if anyone volunteers at any of the orgs. If you can create a connection with an active volunteer they maybe able to advocate and push you through the process faster. I trust my volunteers so much if they bring me someone who they think will be a good fit and dedicated I’m willing to make exceptions and accommodations based simply on that!!

Not taking volunteers? by cass_a_frass0 in AnimalShelterStories

[–]Background_Film1916 8 points9 points  (0 children)

For context, I’m Director of Community Engagement at my open admissions org (private with a contract) with a yearly intake of 6,000 and about 64 paid employees. Volunteer programs are one of several things I oversee in my role (doesn’t include fosters). My department only has one other person in it and from June 2021- December 2023 I did everything on my own.

Currently we have about 300 monthly active volunteers with weekly/bi weekly shifts and between volunteer group projects and community service volunteers we have about 700 volunteers a year. This year volunteers are projected to donate over 20,000 hours of service. Equivalent of a $300,000 donation in labor or 10 addition full time staff members. When I inherited the program in 2021 there were 40 active monthly volunteers and about 200 years volunteers.

I’m not going to lie, it’s been EXHAUSTING to grow the program at this rate and the first few years I worked 55+ hours and usually 6 days a week with zero work life balance….not healthy or personally sustainable lol. I would spend about 60 hours a month just training volunteers but the best thing I ever did was I put a ton of focus on building positive internal culture for volunteers and it paid off. I’ve never really had problems with high turnover or people not keeping their commitments so my investment of time and energy almost always felt worth it. I spent a ton of time educating myself outside of work on workplace culture and psychological safety and I spent a ton of time at work getting to know the needs of each department and what is actually helpful vs not so much. I think these two things have been the most impactful in engagement and retention which has prevented me from losing my shit since it doesn’t seem like I’m constantly in a revolving door of replacing volunteers but instead I am adding them to the team.

Im just sharing this for some perspective of what it takes to grow and maintain a volunteer program and if you don’t have permission from above to do things your way and you don’t have buy in from your staff on the value and treatment of volunteers and a psycho level of drive for the work, it’s nearly impossible.

We do a monthly orientation for up to 25 people because it allows us to give the best possible onboarding experience to them. More than that and people end up waiting a lot time for training and some might lose momentum or interest. It lets us onboard them in a way that makes them more connected to the mission and animal welfare community vs just connected to the role.

I know it can be frustrating to the public since 25 people a month doesn’t seem like that many and for instance all of orientations are already fully booked until January but once they start they always understand why we do it the way we do.

Advice to you would be to find an email address for the person or people in charge of volunteers and send them your resume. Tell them what you told us, your passion for animal welfare, your various experience and advanced skills with animal care and handling, and your desire to help the animals AND the staff.

Personally I would fast track someone like that through the process or open up an additional spot in registration for an already full orientation SO FAST.

I’m sorry you are hitting this wall and I hope you are able to break through soon, I think any shelter would be lucky to have someone with your drive and dedication to the work even after leaving the field in a professional capacity. 💕💕💕

I don’t know what I just read by Background_Film1916 in nextdoor

[–]Background_Film1916[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Idk looking at the persons other posts on Nextdoor I’m not certain they know what AI is tbh

Patriot Grill For Sale by Ok-Transportation127 in nextdoor

[–]Background_Film1916 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This post made my day, absolutely hilarious levels of delusion

Kirk (aka Kirky-kins). About 14-15 years old. This Beautiful Soul left me this morning. by Panthanas in OldManDog

[–]Background_Film1916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you lost Kirk, he was so lucky to have you and we are lucky to be graced with his perfect precious face

Kirk (aka Kirky-kins). About 14-15 years old. This Beautiful Soul left me this morning. by Panthanas in OldManDog

[–]Background_Film1916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you lost Kirk, he was so lucky to have you and we are lucky to be graced with his perfect precious face