For Lost, Abandoned or Sick Animals, Shelter Volunteers Make a Difference

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Every year, 1,300-1,400 animals experience kindness, comfort and second chances at the Lewis County Animal Shelter. Our staff, volunteers and donors are rewarded daily by their work creating these new beginnings for lost, abandoned, sick and injured animals.

On behalf of these homeless animals, the shelter depends on animal-loving community members who volunteer their time to improve animals’ quality of life while in our care. Shelter volunteer Karlene Kolesnikov said a big reward for volunteering is seeing animals get adopted to good homes and knowing she helped make it possible.

A dedicated cadre of shelter volunteers range from students doing community service for school credit to long-term adult commitments like Karlene. Their primary roles include walks, brushing, socializing and playing with them — in other words, the fun stuff. Any time an animal can get out of its enclosure, play, and interact with people is a bright spot in its day.

If the volunteers want to, they are welcome to do some of the dirty jobs you can imagine exist at an animal shelter, but that is never a requirement. Nevertheless, we do have volunteers who mow and weed around the facility and help with feeding and clean-up duties.

A Day in the Life of One Volunteer

Karlene began volunteering when her grandchildren stayed with her one summer. “They were under 14 years old, so they had to have an adult with them to go to the shelter,” she said. She decided to become a volunteer because, as she puts it, “I like dogs. Well, I like all animals, but I really like dogs.”

Now she comes in six days a week for an hour or two each day. She focuses on a single, needy animal — one that might be viewed as at risk for adoption. She spends her volunteer time these days with one particular dog that came into the shelter too young to have been socialized. “I started working with her to improve her chances of being adopted.”

Karlene said working with the animals has made her a better person. “Animals are non-verbal, and they’re completely honest. Unlike with humans, you never have to worry about what they’re thinking. They are what they are. Being with them relieves stress. They have made me a better person.”

Training

The Animal Shelter offers an orientation class twice a month for new or prospective volunteers. Anyone is welcome. Children under age 14 must have a parent with them during their volunteer times. The class varies according to the number of people in it, but generally is completed within about two hours. Topics covered include:



• Walking tour of the Shelter

• Rules for visiting with the cats and dogs

• How to handle animals on leashes

• Safety practices while working with the animals

• Sanitation guidelines after handling animals.

As much as our volunteers love our animals, they love it even more when animals go to good homes. Karlene said that of course, she gets attached to the animals she works with, but seeing them adopted makes it all worth it. “It makes me feel good just to help another creature.”

Complete information on animal adoption and volunteering is on our website at https://lewiscountywa.gov/publichealth/animal-shelter. The shelter is open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 560 Centralia Alpha Road.

For more information about the Animal Shelter — including donation and volunteer opportunities — visit our website, or contact Amy Hanson at 360-740-1290 or Amy.Hanson@lewiscountywa.gov. Follow Public Health on Twitter: @LCPHSS.