My volunteer experience -pics-

[petslover]

A few weeks ago, my friend & I began volunteering at our local shelter. We have had so much fun. We volunteer to take the dogs outside and play with them, and socialize with the puppies.. It has been so much fun.

We have made a few shelter buddies. One of the dogs I have absolutely fell in love with. They have had him for a few weeks. He is gorgeous. I have told two employees that I hope he gets adopted, but if for some reason he doesn't. I will do anything for him. Even if that means me taking him.

One of our regular dogs that we have nicknamed Goofy was advertised in the paper today. This dog is a big dog, but he is sooo clumsy. Such a sweetheart. Everytime I go in there, I make sure I take him outside.. He is a little on the goofy side though. For example, Today I was getting him out of his pen and he fell all over his water bowl making a mess LOL.. but hes so much fun. Hes sooo sweet. so I hope he gets adopted too.


I do have to say I have one concern.. Should I be worried that I may track some disease or sickness to my dogs from the shelter? My dogs come first and I don't want to risk their health or lives for anything. When I get home, I take a shower and change clothes..soo I don't have bad doggie germs on me.. but should I be worried about that?

Anywho. here are a few pictures I snaped with my camera phone.. Not the best, but you can still see the pups..

Me and My Muffin lookalike..



My friend Brittany & a little cute puppy.



We got this picture from the animal shelter website.. Here is a cute lil pup.. She is SOO sweet.



These are my last few pictures.. These are of the dog I have fallen in LOVE with.. This is the one I am trying my best to get adopted and if not I told the shelter I would do anything to help the dog.. I just hope they really listened to me about that.



Look at this face!! just like a stuffed animal.




There are so many great animals in the shelter.. My friend and I go just to brighten their day a little.

Hope you enjoyed..

[Catlady711]

Those are cute pix. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself while helping out animals in need.

As for your question about bringing doggie diseases home with you, that is a concern. Shelter dogs frequently come in with unknown vaccination histories and are not always well cared for to start with. Things like Parvo, Kennel Cough and other things can be brought home to your pets.

You're doing one thing right already by making sure to come home and shower and change before playing with your own dogs. Make sure the dirty clothes also go somewhere the dogs can't go like a basement or spare room. Also when you come home, take off your shoes and carry them to a place your dogs don't go. It's possible to step in something at the shelter then track it over your carpet when you walk in. Make sure your dogs are up to date on all their vaccinations.

If you are doing all that, you should be fine.

I've worked at the vet hospital for 7 years and done all that and my kitties have never caught anything I've been exposed to at work.

[shais_mom]

what beautiful dogs!
good for you!

[binka_nugget]

That's awesome that you're volunteering! I found my Kaedyn on my first day as a volunteer!

I think what you're doing is fine. The only thing I would add is be careful with your shoes. When there was something going around the shelter, we had to step in a solution so we didn't track anything. It might even be wise to pick up a pair of shoes JUST for volunteering and keeping it away from the pups.

[petslover]

I am sooo happy. Today, I went in to look for the dog I fell in love with. He was not in there. I asked where he was and they said he got adopted!!

That just brightened my day.

Now, I'm really looking out for my big Goofy pup.. I'm kinda afraid for him because he is so BIG and Wild.. but all I can do is pray that someone will fall in love with him!!!

There was a dog today that was in there. He reminded me so much of my crew. I told him to talk to me and he started howling at me.. Just like my COCO does.. It was sooo sweet.

I am truely having a blast with this. I know there are going to be up and downs to this, but I know I am helping brighten the dogs day up..

[lute]

AWWW!!! Tia all those pups are adorable! I hope they all get adopted!