to those who work/have worked at animal shelters.... - Page 1

Some of yall may have may remember me talking about how bad the situation is around my area with stay dogs/ people dropping off dogs....they main reason the problem is so bad i guess is that our town has been growing extremely fast in the past few years but we still had no animal shelter....(animal shelter is the same thing as a pound right?) well anyway, finally, a couple moths ago -we got one...right now my kids are back in scool so i was thinking about getting a job just to get out of the house, i would love to work somewhere that i could learn more about dogs/animals--would a shelter be a good place for this? what does someone working at a shelter do/ what jobs do they hire people for? what requirements do you think they'd want, just for you to know about dogs in general and want to learn, or do you have to be certified in something? i'd imagine that they'd need people to clean out cages, just help with the dogs...so i wouldn't need to have some kinda degree for that huh? I just would like to have a little info before i just show up at the place looking for a job......thanks

~JULIE~ 

Julie.  I have never worked at a shelter, but I have volunteered to walk and socialize dogs at our local shelter.   I describe the difference between a "pound" and a "shelter" as being thus.  A pound collects stray dogs, holds them for a few days, and if they are not claimed, they are usually put up for adoption for a few more days, and then they are "put down".  Whereas a shelter, takes in found dogs, dropped off dogs, etc., and keeps them for a long time (and sometimes forever), trying to adopt them out.  Yes, there are "kill" and "no kill" shelters, but you get the idea.

As to employement at a pound or shelter, I believe a pound is a civil service type job.  Usually through the county, and pays okay.  A shelter is made up of low paying jobs and volunteers and does not pay well.  There are, of course, exceptions to everything and some here have more knowledge about the subject.  Maybe EchoMeadows could help explain it better.  Shelter work mostly consist of cleaning up from, and feeding/watering dogs.  Sometimes taking them to a Vet for treatment, sometimes taking them to "PetSmart" stores or wherever, and showing them to the public for adoption, taking applications from those wanting to adopt and trying to weed out the possible good homes from the not so good home prospects, etc, etc.

As to working with dogs, if I was inclined to do so, I would either volunteer with a shelter, if money was not a  concern, or, if money is a concern, then I would get training to be a veterinarian assistant or actually try to become a veterinarian.

To be honest, the only reqard you will get from working at a shelter, is the satisfaction of knowing you are helping unfortunate animals.  You will not make a living at it.  You will have to do "something else" to get by, along with shelter work.  Or have a spouse who does.

Having said all of that, I would like to add that someone who works helping the less unfortunate, human or animal, surely will be rewarded, if there is a God, and if their isn't, then when they look into the mirror they will like what they see.  What more could someone ask than to like and be satisfied with their self?

You might want to consider becoming a pet groomer or a dog walker (depending on what type of area you live in), but a veterinarian assistant would be best, if a paycheck is a concern.  Take care.

Julie I've worked at shelters and I've ran my own rescue.  If you can't handle euthanizing an animal, don't apply.  If you can't handle seeing the worst of human nature, don't apply.  Paying jobs at shelters usually will involve having to deal with these situations.  Volunteering is a little different. 

thanks guys, thats the only thing im really worried about, i don't know if i could handle the bad stuff, and money not a biggest concern--my hubby works , a low paying job would be fine for now if im learning stuff there/gaining experience---as far as being a vet--my dream job when i was little but i know i could'nt do that..lol...shoulda finished high school! My biggest problem would be wanting to take all the poor pups home with me!

~julie~

Have you ever thought of starting your own rescue??? You make the rules and it would keep you busy.

angela, i have---but i have no idea how to go about doing that...would prob cost tons to start and then how do they get money 2 take care of animals? does the state pay? i have no idea how to start something like that, or the legal aspects of it.....plus right now no place to do it....although my sister lives right down the road from me and they live on ten acres , they have been trying to figure out a buisness they could do using their land, maybe a dog shelter / boarding kennels/ grooming place...would be an idea to talk to them about, our town has 3 or more dog grooming places, thats very popular around here....thanks for the idea--something to think about...

~JULIE~  P.s. a GREAT thing about it is that it would be NO KILL...

I am management at the local shelter which is also the pound for 16 surrounding towns and cities. Maybe I can clear a few things up.

Most shelters, are not pounds, most towns or cities have their own pound, because they don't have to deal with the same issues I have to deal with. I couldn't operate my shelter without my volunteers, but my volunteers can only work with animals that have been checked in. Any animal that is in the pound is either there because they are a surrender, abandoned, stray, or a neighboring police department has brought the dog to me, because they don't want to deal with it.

Working at the shelter is one of the most incredible jobs I have ever had. It actually has nothing to do with any of my previous work experience or education, other than I love animals. Employees don't make much money, but they are there because they want to be there. Every day you go to work and you know the others are there for the same reason you are. No one really has a bad day. We have moments of "down" when we have found an attachment to an animal, yet the animal is not adoptable to the public because of illness or aggression. Those days are a bit tougher, but you learn to deal with it, and cling to an animal you know will be adopted.

I completely understand your thought on no kill, but honestly, there isn't a shelter or rescue that really is a no kill facility. My shelter doesn't euthanize for space, but we will for a sick or aggressive animal that would be a danger to the public. A sick animal that could put the other sheltered animals at risk, just can't be. There are a lot of infectious diseases that will rip through a shelter that will devastate a facility, it's animals, and its staff.

You need to look at your state regulations. In NH, by law I have to keep a stray for 8 days before I can even evaluate it for adoption or medical. If a stray comes in sick or injured, I can't treat it, the ACO has to determine where the dog goes for medical treatment. After the 8 days, the dog belongs to the shelter, and can be evaluated. If it is determined prior to who the owner is, and I have documentation, I can't eval the dog after 8 days, I then have to send a registered letter to the owner, and wait, while the dog waits in the pound. My facility is divided between a pound, an adoption kennel and a quarantine. The quarantine area is very important, check your State RSAs on that.

Working at a shelter will be the best job you have ever had. You will be excited to go to work every day. Every day is different, it is an adventure. You will run the gambit of emotions, but at the end of the day, there is satisfaction I have not found with any other job I have ever had.

DEESWOLF--- thanks for the great info, i think what i might try to do, if nothing else-if they're not hiring- volunteer at the shelter (they wouldnt turn down a volunteer right?) that way i could atleast learn the ropes of how to run one....then maybe i could learn enough to eventually start my own, when its the right time for me.....kinda like an entern.....

~julie~ p.s. i could understand having to put down a dog for the reasons you said, but like you said--not for space---

You are correct Julie, most shelters will not turn you away a volunteer. We cannot function without volunteers. Let me give you some unsolicited advice....make sure you are trained! This means, no matter what you know about dogs, procedure or training, each shelter is different. Ask for a manual, an orientation for volunteers, and ASK a ton of questions. Ask to spend time with the kennel manager, the person(s) who clean kennels in the morning, and the animal care director. Those are the people who will know for certain what the hell is going on. Plus dont be surprised, if they tell you their biggest need right now if for folks to clean cat banks.