Goodbar-Aniaml+Care+League

Organization Name: Animal Care League

Mission: To find homeless animals home, and to help homeless animals

Contacts: Marci Watt - Manager of shelter operations marci@animalcareleague.org

Journals:

Journal 3/15/2012

So today at the animal shelter I spent about a hour walking dogs. I walked 3 different dogs, I walked one dog who was really cute and liked being outside. Then I walked a puppy who was black and really cute, but didn’t really want to go on a long walk and tried to eat everything. Then last I took a dog on a walk who was nursing her puppy. We went on a long walk. Then after that I dried off about 50 cat cages for 30 minutes. While volunteering I was feeling like I was really helping the animals by providing them dry cages and walks. The dogs liked to be outside so it felt nice to know that was I was doing mattered. Also while volunteering all the other volunteers were so nice and thanked me for jumping into the work and really doing a lot. My opinion of animals hasn’t really changed through this because I already love them and that’s why I signed up awhile ago to volunteer at the animal shelter.

Journal 3/17/12

So today at the animal shelter was really fun. I walked a few different dogs and went into the cat room for the first time. The first cat I played with had half a tail and it was really sad, but still really cute. The cat didn’t like to be touched by its tail tough. Then I went into a different cat room and had this black and white cat lay on my lap for awhile. While I was there I was thinking about how nice it was and how happy the cats and dogs seemed to be when they got to go on walks or got petted or got any attention. It was really nice, and I really enjoy volunteering there. I haven't been volunteering for awhile, but so far its been such a great experience and i am excited to keep on volunteering.

Journal 3/18/12

So today at the animal shelter I also walked dogs and played with the cats. Everyone was so nice and every time I go there I can tell the animals are so happy to see volunteers. Espeshily the dogs, because when volunteers come they get to get out of their cages and they jump around all over their cage and are so happy. Its so nice to be there and know that I’m helping the animals but then when I have to put the dogs back in their cages its so hard cause I feel so bad because they never want to go back in. Also I had to put a mom in her cage away from her puppies, and it made me really sad cause they can’t see each other and be with each other that much, which is so depressing, because they should be together! While volunteering i mostly felt sad today, because i feel so bad for these animals that they don't have families and houses to roam around in.

Journal 3/19/12

So today It was so nice outside so I took the dogs on long 20 minute walks.I walked one of my favorite dogs, Apple today and it was really nice, she's been here awhile and i just want her to get adopted. It was really nice cause they don’t get to go outside a lot, so when they do get out for a long time they are so happy and it makes you feel so good, like your making a difference in their lives. But later I went to the cat room and this one cat just layed on my lap for such a long time but when I had to go I felt so bad leaving the cat to be all alone again. My views haven't really changed at all about animal shelters, it just makes me feel bad for the animals who are there because they really don't have anyone who is consistantly in their lives.

Journal 4/3/12

So i spent about a hour and 30 minutes today walking the dogs at the animal shelter. I'm starting to get to know the dogs alot better, and i can recognize the different dogs. Coming back from spring break Apple has gotten adopted, which makes me so happy. So far Rondo is my new favorite dog, he's big with black fur, and really cute. While walking the dogs i feel really happy that i'm helping to make their lives better, but at the same time i feel so sad because they don't have a real home or a family, and it just makes me want to cry because they are some of the sweetest dogs i've ever met, and they really deserve to have homes. Being at the animal shelter hasn't changed any of my opinions, but it has confirmed my thoughts that animals need a home, and that when buying a pet, animals should come from shelters.

Journal 5/9/12

Today I walked dogs and spent some time in the cat room. Along with knowing the dogs i'm starting to know the cats too. Even though i've never seen her, my favorite cat is Nala, she's been at the animal shelter for a few years and she is one of the most adorable cats. I also like Brandon, even though he scratched my today, he's all black and really adorable. While volunteering, i kept thinking about how much i would love to take one of the animals home with me and give them a place to live, even though i know i couldn't, because my pets would hate it and my parents wouldn't let me. But i really like volunteering at the animal shelter, and i know that even after my hours are over, i'm going to keep volunteering there, because it is something i really enjoy, and its such a rewarding experience. Once again, my opinions were just confirmed about animal shelters, nothing has changed.

Journal 5/21/12

I went back to walking dogs today. I walked this new dog at the shelter Betty and another one named Ceelo. They are both really sweet dogs, I walked a few other dogs too but my favorites were Betty and Ceelo. I'm not allowed to walk Rondo anymore because he moved up a level, so only higher trained volunteers can walk him. Afterwards I went back into the cat room, and met Jack, Quinton,Trent and Denver and a few other cats. I played with Jack for awhile who is black and white, he is very cute and loved to play, Quinton also wanted to play with Jack and I so i ended up playing with them. Then i petted Trent for awhile who is a huge grey cat, he weighs about 20 pounds and beside from Nala, he is my favorite. The animals at the animal shelter are so cute, and i love playing with them. Recently, i've been thinking about moving up in my volunteer training so that i would be a blue level volunteer and be able to work more with the cats. My opinions have all been confirmed by volunteering here. I think its a great experience and everyone should do it at least once.

Journal 5/26/12

Today i went later at night to take the dogs out for their nightly walks before they are forced to stay inside the rest of the night. Its pretty stressful because all of the dogs need to go out on walks, and it feels like your sort of moving them in and out of their cages and the building like how you move things around in a factory. Its sad, but you know all the dogs need to go outside and there is only so much time to take them. I also talked to one of the staff members about becoming a blue level volunteer, and they said they it could happen and told me what i had to do. Also i found out today that Rondo got adopted! So did Jack the Cat! and Betty the dog! It was really exciting and Ceelo also got put on double hold, so he will get adopted soon. It was really exciting to see all these animals i know get adopted and go to good homes. It made me so happy to see that. Through this whole experience i've learned so much about how anima shelters operate and all the good work they do. I'm really glad i decided to voulunteer there and i know i'm going to keep on doing it.