Volunteer program
Every weekday from 8.30 a.m. – 11.45 a.m. and on Saturdays from 9.00 a.m. - 13.00 p.m., adult individuals are welcome to join the Volunteer Program and assist Shelter Management by taking the animals from their kennels and allowing them exercise on the field. More than just playing with the dogs however, volunteers are expected to observe general health and behavior, informing the Manager of any problems and taking the dogs to the veterinarian if necessary. Parasite control is also a large part of the job – grooming the coat, removing ticks and fleas, and ensuring that the animals are regularly treated against these life-threatening invaders. At times the volunteer’s first hand knowledge of each dog is put to use by assisting the Manager with helping a member of the public to choose just the right animal for their circumstances. Most importantly however, the volunteers are there to provide the extra love and care that the dogs and cats need on a daily basis, and which has been missing from their life since being abandoned at the Shelter. The cats especially respond to some quiet petting and playing. Volunteers need to be reliable and of mature attitude, ideally with some experience of animals, and not afraid to get hot, dirty and smelly!!
Youth for Animals
On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning students come to the shelter to play with and allow the dogs to exercise on the field. Naturally there is a lot of fun, hugging and petting and the dogs love it. It is very valuable to us that these youngsters are willing to spend some time with the homeless shelter dogs, which certainly need some extra love and attention after being abandoned. In the picture: Alejandro and Patrick with shelter dog Reggie.
On Saturdays it is easy to spot Amber and Kelly, both students and cat lovers, in the cats’ cage of the Shelter. As soon as the girls arrive, the cats gallop playfully toward them, and those who might have that special ear, are pretty sure they can hear a feline equivalent of ‘Yeah!! Play and Cuddle time!!’ Seriously though, cats are actually very social beings and need human company with which to interact, play and be loved. It certainly means a lot to them to spend some time with Amber and Kelly who also try to teach kittens that sharp little claws can hurt!
In the picture: Amber and Kelly in the cat's cage
