Should I feel insulted??

[ImFiddY]

k, I emailed to volunteer with a group that walks dogs at the shelter on Saturdays. I asked if they needed help this Saturday and I would like to give it a try.

The person in charge emailed me back saying they were nervous about my 'give it a try'. Said they need people to commit to a min. of 2 Saturdays a month and that they spend time training you and that takes away from their time training the dogs.

I respond back that I wanted to try it out once because my hands are starting to get arthritis and I have a knee that is not always stable and I wanted to make sure I can walk the dogs and not tork my knee of have my hands be in pain.

So the person responds back and says since I have medical issues that I should not volunteer and the dogs will pull you around and have knocked people over.

I feel rejected that I'm willing to invest a Saturday of my time to see if I can do this and the person is not willing to invest their time in me.

Am I being menopausal pissy ??

 

[janie1234]

Try not to take it to hard. From a buisness stand point there could be a huge liability issue if you were to get hurt while volunteering for them. Also as someone who has volunteered I know that sometimes it is frustrating when people cannot always commit to the times that they need someone. These operations sometimes depend on their volunteers to keep the doors open. Pat yourself on the back for the effort. You are a good person for wanting to help and I'm sure that there is another volunteer opportunity that will benefit from having you. I always look at volunteering as job hunting. There needs to be a right fit most especially since your doing it out of the goodness of your heart. I hope you find that right fit.

 

[fit_fairy]

Eh, I wouldn't take it so harshly. It's probably just a liability issue for them. They wouldn't want a voluteer getting injured. Shrug it off. Maybe find somewhere else to offer your time. It was a truly nice gesture for you to offer to help!!

 

[ImFiddY]

Eh, I wouldn't take it so harshly. It's probably just a liability issue for them. They wouldn't want a voluteer getting injured. Shrug it off. Maybe find somewhere else to offer your time. It was a truly nice gesture for you to offer to help!!

They make you sign a release form so they would have no liability. Thanks for the replies, I just felt like geez they don't even want to try me out. I really wanted to do it, maybe that's why I feel so sad about it.

 

[Afreet]

I agree. Most shelters operate on shoestring budgets and they honestly need help, but have to be super-careful about liability and how they budget their time.

They probably could've been a little nicer, perhaps suggesting some other ways you could get involved (picking up donations of food and medical supplies? Transporting pets to the vet? Helping to organize adoption events? Answering phones?). Also, apparently they need a volunteer coordinator who can find useful ways for people who don't have 2 Saturdays a month to contribute !

Also keep in mind that the dogs are often not well-trained, big, sick, ornery, or otherwise difficult walkers...these are unfortunately the dogs who are most likely to end up in shelters.

Don't be offended. Find another place that will accept your help! After all, it's not the people, it's the critters that need your help the most. (Not to say that there aren't needy people - just talking about animal shelters here).

Lisa

 

[RapidBreath]

with your medical issues

They can't use your help. If anything were to happen to you or the dogs they would be liable. Its not personal. And while you aren't being menopausal, you need to understand that dogs really do pull especially if you aren't an experienced dog walker and or trainer. They sense your authority based upon the leash and your energy (think Dog Whisperer.) So the issues with your hands might be a problem especially with animals who are not in a stable home situation and are already nervous. I think you might be better served helping out in a neonatal unit at a hospital with human babies.

 

[janiejoey]

Go down there and ask to see the manager and talk; ask what the duties of volunteering involves and how you can help. Another idea that comes to mind is walk a few neighbors dogs, that might help you decide if your hands or knees hurt. Do this about a half hour at a time per dog.

Try another place, volunteers are needed believe me and ask what kind of volunteering is available there and the duties that are required.

Also there are the elderly who need people to talk with (they get so lonely), do their shopping, clean a little around their apartments or home (exactly like they would).

Hospitals, caregiver, horse care, animal sitting...

I applaud you for thinking about volunteering for anything. It is very satisfying and it is like interviewing, trying to find the right match, but once you do, the rewards that it puts on a person is amazing.

Keep trying and don't give up, there is a place that you will fit into and enjoy.

Janie

 

[goldenpath]

You said that you emailed them. Why not give them a call and see if there are other volunteer positions that you would be interested in. Maybe, if you speak with them, there may be a better understanding as to what you want and are able to do and what they can offer you to do.

 

[Miss Lee]

You said that you emailed them. Why not give them a call and see if there are other volunteer positions that you would be interested in. Maybe, if you speak with them, there may be a better understanding as to what you want and are able to do and what they can offer you to do.

I think this is an excellent idea. It can be so easy to read too much into an email response. It's better to go in and talk to the person in charge. Also, volunteering for things like this are like REAL JOBS! They need people who can commit to a certain number of hours and are physically able to do the work. I used to work for a vet and I'm telling you, handling dogs can be quite demanding physically!

 

[PhyllisG]

I volunteer at shelter walking dogs and socializing cats and dogs. Before they allow you to walk the dogs you must take an orientation course--a few hours one week night. May be you could volunteer in the cat room. I always love that as it is a big open room, sunlight pouring in and soft music playing. the cats are just running around, playing sleeping and generally enjoying the visitors. That might work for you if you like cats!

 

[Beavs]

I applaud anyone who can help out with animals. I would love to but I know that I would become too attached to all of them and end up taking them all home. I would get too emotional!

 

[LauraMax]

Me too. I think working at a shelter or vet in any capacity must be the most heartbreaking job in the world.

 

[Beavs]

Me too. I think working at a shelter or vet in any capacity must be the most heartbreaking job in the world.

I have a friend who work for a rescue and finds it very rewarding that the animals end up in loving homes. It would be hard for me to let go, especially when I know that some people might not become as attached as I would. You know, people who move to new apartments and give up their pets, etc. I on the other hand consider my animals my family and we stick together.

 

[materialsgirl]

I applaud anyone who can help out with animals. I would love to but I know that I would become too attached to all of them and end up taking them all home. I would get too emotional!

That is my problem too, Beavs! I have seriously considered volunteering at our local shelter, but I'm so afraid of coming home with a car-full of animals each time.

I agree with everyone else - it's a liability issue for the shelter. I wouldn't take the "rejection" personally - they have to invest time into training volunteers and it's only natural that they'd want some kind of commitment. My local shelter is the same way - they want you to be able to help out at least 2 hours a week. I think seeing if they have other, less physically-demanding, volunteer opportunities is a great idea. Kudos to you for wanting to help!

 

[janie1234]

I on the other hand consider my animals my family and we stick together.

This is the way all animal owners should think. My friend that works in the animal shelter always jokes about how she has a shelter in her own home. She ends up taking all the animals that no one else wants.

 

[maddiesmum]

I do not think that you should be insulted by the content of their replies to you, but certainly, you can take umbrage at the manner in which that content was communicated to you. I don't care about their legal and liability issues, you deserved more respect considering you were volunteering, not applying for a paying job. A little politeness and humanity is never beyond us.

If I were you, I would not contact them again. So, I disagree with the majority here. I would take my time and energies elsewhere, to a place and people who could appreciate all that I had to offer. I'd give them the metaphorical kick in the pants that they gave you. Why would you want to work with people incapable of showing respect?

Clare

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I agree with everyone else about liability issues and that it wasn't meant to hurt you. If the guy was a little... inconsiderate it's probably because people in those places are so fatigued from all the distress they're constantly surrounded by. I see it a lot because I live in a neighborhood where there are lots of abandoned animals and I'm always bringing some poor critter to my local Humane Society. You can always tell who the newer employees are because they're the only one's who smile because they're not yet completely jaded when a new cat or dog is brought in. They just get tired of having to clean up after all the irresponsible human beings who treat animals like throwaways. I imagine they start to assume everyone is irresponsible and it gets tough to hide. Can you, perhaps, volunteer time IN a shelter? Cleaning cages, working in the office, taking in donations? Those places always need so much and have so little and the abandoned animals just keep coming all the time.