Find other pet shelters for volunteer work, PLEASE.
I worked as a volunteer there, while their front facing reputation seems to be good, with their volunteers the experience is mixed with many of us- lots of changing policies, people telling us to do one thing and then being told by someone else not to do it, communication is minimal at best. I couldn't work on weeknights there, so I would do a longer shift on Saturdays or Sundays- I had prior experience ( months of it) with mid-level blue dogs and had established very good interactions and experiences with them. I had taken time away for dual carpal tunnel surgery and called off on a couple days where I was ill or the weather was below zero ( I have type 1 diabetes) and the cold is not good for us to be exposed to - so I couldn't walk the dogs. They established a ridiculous absentee policy where you would have to cancel 24 hrs before you came in for a volunteer position (if you get sick or have a sick child or partner) after that 24 hr period passes- you can't seem to get a hold of people- I would email the person I knew did the volunteer coordination telling her that I couldn't come in- but I was not made aware that she was paired w/ a newer employee whom I had met once at a prior event for maybe 15 minutes. I got a vague email from this person completely confused about who she is, so I forwarded the emails I had sent to the other person about me not being able to come in, but she still had the nerve to apply the newer absentee policy to dates that were prior to them laying out those rules. I advise if you have to do volunteer hours for any cause or school- you may want to do another organization with fewer constraints. I adored the dogs I work with, and I am deeply depressed and irritated that they let me go- they lost a very diligent volunteer that respected and was in awe of the animals we sheltered.
I will never be over this very unfair and undue experience. When I think about the time and money/supplies I donated to this organization- it makes me physically ill.
The volunteers there are salt of the earth people united in caring for homeless animals that rely on their care and love to get them re-homed.
