12:15am
We need Zootoo's Help
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As I sit here tonight in anticipation of Zootoo's visit to our shelter tomorrow, I wonder...what would we do if we won.
The need at our shelter is overwhelming sometimes.
From the moment you pull into the driveway, with its potholes filled with rain puddles, and winter filled with ice...you wonder what you are in store for. You look around and see the fence is in bad shape...what is still holding it up?
Walking past you are the volunteers walking dogs. One trying to steer the dog away from prancing in the puddle, while the other trying to show their dog, that there's nothing to be afraid of. Off to the side, you see people trying to find an area to train the dogs where they aren't so distracted by all the others walking by and some sitting on the lawn just holding a dog. However, with all this going on, you can see the love that is shown to these animals by each person.
I walk into the building and into a small foyer. I am greeted by happy faces asking to help me. You look around and see there isn't much here to offer, but you know by the hustle and bustle of the volunteers going about their chores that this is a happy place, filled with wonderful people that love what they are doing.
This is what made me want to volunteer at DAWS!
I started volunteering here over a year and a half ago and I have never met such a dedicated group of people who show nothing but love to all the animals here.
The shelter is in such need of repair and each day you come in there, you don't know what that day will bring. I've walked into the room where the washers and dryers are - only to see the pipe under the sink leaking water all over the floor. Leaks in the roof that actually causes flooding in the cat room. Kennel doors that sometimes leak into the dogs pens. You look around at all the kennels and can see all the repairs that are needed.
Do these dogs and cats know how bad things are here, of course not - through all of this everyone is happy to be around these animals and that is all that they know. They are so excited to see us, with their paws coming through, or their faces pushed up against the fencing waiting for you to come by and greet them...and that is just what everyone does. We let them know this is a better place then where they were, and prepare them for an even better place once they leave us.
We desperately need an update to our kennels, the cat room, a new roof, new fencing, an area where we can actually meet with the potential adopters, and an area where they can meet the dog or cat they are hoping to take home one day.
We have rallied so hard to get into the top 20 in such a short period, and it has brought a stronger bond between all that volunteer here. It has shown me the true dedication and devotion to our furry family and most importantly the desire, from all the volunteers and the outreach of our community, to try and do whatever it takes to make this a better visiting ground for all that pass through here on their way home!
