Volunteer South King County

Volunteering at the Kent Animal Shelter

volunteersouthkingcounty — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:03:11 +0000

There are times when it’s hard to help yourself, let alone others. Saturday was one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong, all at once. Needless to say, the thought of volunteering didn’t inspire me. My husband’s an Animal Control Officer (ACO) and we only have his son every other weekend; as luck would have it, he works Saturday’s. I promised him I’d bring his down so he could work alongside his dad and learn some responsibility. Donning our bright blue volunteer shirts, we made our way down to the Kent animal shelter.

There are various opportunities to be had while volunteering at the animal shelter. Among them are walking dogs; cuddling/playing with cats and kittens; assisting potential adopters with selecting the right dog or cat for their lifestyle; helping officers feed, water and medicate animals; cleaning pet dishes, litter pans; and folding towels and blankets for cat and dog kennels. Dish and laundry duty certainly isn’t exciting, but, truthfully, it is one of the most appreciated jobs. Towels and blankets are given to the hundreds of scared animals, offering a bit of comfort in a completely foreign world. Each dish and litter pan is scrubbed and sanitized to help reduce the risk of infection. Without the volunteers, each officer would easily work an 18 hour day and still wouldn’t be able to accomplish their tasks. Standing at the sink in the feed room, they frequently pass by, offering their gratitude many times a day. I guess that’s why I don’t mind helping out, regardless of my day. The thanks I receive is plentiful and as I walk past all the furry faces, I can see it in their eyes, too.

ACO’s are responsible for obtaining the owner surrendered animal or stray, evaluating it to see if it needs medical attention or has been abused or neglected. Then, once in a kennel, maintaining the cleanliness of that kennel, as well as monitoring its behavior (making sure it isn’t kenneled with an aggressive dog, maintaining its health). In addition to caring for up to 13,000 animals a year, they routinely assist people looking for their lost cat or dog, wash dishes, fold laundry, unload supplies, assist the medical staff, maintain livestock, and work on cruelty cases. This is a very simplified list of duties they perform daily. It comes as no surprise then as to why they put in so much overtime, sacrificing time with their husbands or wives, children and families.

Driving through the back gates, we noticed the livestock pen was being prepared. For what, we weren’t sure, but just as curiosity killed the cat, we aimed to find out. We never made it to the feed room, though, as two officers stopped us and asked for our help. That’s the thing with volunteering here; you never know where you may be needed the most. Five officers were en-route to the shelter bringing with them all 86 roosters from an illegal cock fighting ring and, with the shelter dangerously near capacity, they were hard pressed to find enough enclosures. My stepson and I helped the officers assemble cages while they assisted owners looking for their lost pet. Just as the last cage snapped together, the first wave of roosters arrived hungry, thirsty, and not at all happy. Feathers weren’t flying as they were checked in, being checked for signs of neglect and abuse, but the efficiency of each officer was impressive to watch, even if for just a moment.

Our task complete, we tackled the feed room, feelin’ pretty good about the past couple of hours. Dishes piled high and the shelves completely empty, we tackled our next task with enthusiasm. It wasn’t very long before officers came in grabbing supplies and thanking us for ‘all of your hard work.’ One after another, they each took a moment to explain how the simple act of washing some dishes and folding some towels not only helped the animals, but them personally. Just as the last load was finishing up, an officer that was involved with busting the cock fighting ring came in, handing each of us a cold can of Coke and thanked us yet again for our help. Boy, now we really felt good!

It was late, much later than when my husband was to get off of work, when we finally left for home. The dinner I had prepared earlier was no longer edible, so we stopped for a fast food dinner at 9:30 at night. But as we made our way under the night sky, tired, hungry, and a little bit sweaty, I couldn’t help but think about my day and how I may have not been able to help or solve my own problems, but I was able to make a difference to many, just by lending a hand.

King County Animal Care and Control Shelter

21615 64th Ave. S, Kent, WA 98032

More Reasons to Volunteer

volunteersouthkingcounty — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:21:36 +0000

Following up on last weeks post of how volunteering can positively impact your life, here are a few more reasons why donating your time just may be good for your pocket book, as well as your love life.

Gain Job Skills & Experience

In this economy, every job seeker needs all the help he or she can get and volunteering is a great way to explore new career options. For example, if you want to get into the medical field, why not volunteer for a local hospital? You’ll gain insight into the profession as well as make valuable contacts in the field. Did you know:

73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted

Planning and implementing a major fundraising event can develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills. Supervising and training other volunteers helps to develop these same skills. These are only just a few examples of skills that can help enhance a career. But keep in mind you don’t have to develop skills with the intention of facilitating your career. Painting a mural or making banners could gently push you to discover graphics and art talents!

Get fit and Lose Weight

According to doctors, walking is the number one way to lose weight. Thankfully, King County Animal Care and Control have plenty of dogs that need to be walked or even played fetch with. Not a dog person? Spend some time playing with the cats or educate the public and help them find the right pet for their lifestyle. A University of Minnesota study reported owning a cat reduced your risk for a heart attack by 40%. Achieve similar heart healthy benefits by cuddling Fluffy and friends a few times a week, no litter pan required.

Demonstrate Good Citizenship to (or even with!) Your Children

Washington State requires each student to have a certain amount of volunteer hours in order to graduate from high school (amount varies between school district; contact yours to see how many your child will need). And we all know that actions speak louder than words. Volunteering sends a message to your children that it’s important to be involved in your community and to give back whatever you can. Plus, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon with your older kids! Kids can sort cans at the food bank (learning the value of the groceries at home in the meantime), can help stuff envelopes or do any number of tasks. Children who volunteer learn valuable life skills, gain confidence and can learn a deeper sense of empathy.

Meet New People

Suffer from a broken heart? Can’t find Mr. or Ms. Right? Volunteering can be an excellent way of meeting that certain someone special who happens to share a common interest. Already found the love of your life? Volunteering can also be a great networking opportunity. Your co-workers and the recipient of your efforts are a great source of personal and professional contacts. You might meet a great new employer or find a great new employee.

Volunteering does more than just fill a void in a company; it enriches your life in a variety of ways. Abraham Lincoln once said, “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” The world is waiting for you to lend your helping hand.

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Why Should I Volunteer?

volunteersouthkingcounty — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:15:56 +0000

Volunteering obviously has a positive impact on non-profits and our community, but did you know how much you could benefit from the experience personally?

Gain a Sense of Achievement, Motivation and Self-Confidence

There’s a story about a janitor at NASA who, when asked what he does for a living, replied “I helped put a man on the moon!” While the facts of the story are dubious, the idea is that this man understood that his contribution to the team had a direct impact on the team’s ability to launch rockets into space. Volunteers will often hear people – even close friends and family! – ask “Why bother? What can you really do?”, implying you can’t change the world. They’re wrong; you can change the world, one small act at a time. Have you ever had a leaky roof? When it rains and the bucket sits under the leak collecting the water, it fills quickly, even though it’s just a drop at a time. The same principal applies to volunteering – one small act at a time leads to more. You’ll see how your efforts are contributing to the greater good of the world. That confidence can filter through to every aspect of your life, opening more doors of opportunity and allowing you the courage and strength to achieve great things!

Discover New Interests and Hobbies

Get out of a rut and try something new! Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing. Help run a senior’s field trip, run a website for a few hours a month, or assist in publishing a charity newsletter. The energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over to a work or family situation and sometimes helps to relieve tensions and foster new perspectives for old situations. You may even find you are amazing at art or maybe you’re a natural at the computer!

Be Part of Your Community

No man or woman is an island. We sometimes take for granted the community that we live in. Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. What better way is there to connect with your community and give a little back? As a volunteer, you certainly return to society some of the benefits that society gives all of us.

There are many reasons to volunteer and next we’ll show you how it can benefit your love life, as well as your career! Stay tuned as we show you just exactly what goes into being a volunteer, what you can expect, and how you can get started. Until then, remember A.R.K. – Act of Random Kindness!

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9 Good Reasons We Don’t Volunteer

volunteersouthkingcounty — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:27:47 +0000

If you’re reading this, you probably already know (or, at least, suspect) that volunteering can be an amazing experience! The feeling of doing something good is a natural high; you can’t help smiling, you stand straighter, you feel more confident and stronger. When you know you’ve made the world a better place, even in just one tiny way, it just feels fantastic.

Lots of people don’t volunteer, though, and for really good reasons:

I don’t have time. There are volunteer opportunities to fit everyone’s schedule. Get out your calendar and decide what day/time you have available. You can start volunteering with just a one-day event or just a few hours a month. There are even volunteer-from-home and on-line opportunities available! If you’re truly interested in helping, there is an opportunity for you that will fit your schedule.
I don’t know how to volunteer. Consider your own interests first and then take your time to find the right opportunity. Review the articles on this site as well as www.VolunteerMatch.org.
I don’t have any special skills. Can you hold a hand? Wash a dish? File paperwork? Greet someone with a smile at the door? Can you type/email? Give a hug? Sew a blanket or craft a card? Organizations don’t require specialized training or a specific skill set for every opportunity. If you’re reading this blog, you have the skills necessary to be a volunteer.
I’m not sure I believe in the cause/organization. Don’t hesitate to ask an organization’s Volunteer Coordinator the hard questions: “where do you get your funding and how to do you allocate those funds?”, “What percentage of every dollar donated is used for admin costs, etc.?” Also, look for your charity on the Better Business Bureau’s ‘Wise Giving’ report. This report whether a charity meets 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/#S
I don’t want that much responsibility. You can volunteer as much or as little as you chose. Start with just a small commitment. You should never be pressured by a good organization to take on more than you wish to do.
I don’t want to get into a long-term commitment. No problem! Accept only the roles or assignments that you know you have the time to do. If you want to volunteer just one day, tell your Coordinator!
I don’t want to be pressured to donate money. Volunteers should not be solicited for funds. You should never feel that you are obligated to give anything more than the time you agreed to contribute. Your time and effort are a huge, valuable donation! Volunteer Coordinators recognize that you are sacificing your time with family/friends, you’re giving your heart, and you’re working hard for the cause!
I used to volunteer, but I got burned out or didn’t even get a ‘thank you’. I’m so sorry to hear that! It can be disappointing to feel that your time and effort isn’t being valued. Non-Profits are realizing, however, that in order to reach their goals, they need to be more professional and organized. Please don’t allow previous poor experiences to discourage you. If one organization doesn’t fit your needs, talk to your Coordinator about how you feel and, if necessary, move on to another opportunity.
I don’t understand what they’d want me to actually DO; what if I don’t like it? Review the articles on this site to learn about what its like to volunteer at a specific organization. Check out www.VolunteerMatch.org for specific opportunities and more information. When you find something that looks interesting, contact the Volunteer Coordinator and ask questions. Don’t hesitate to get as specific as you need to in your questioning; the Coordinator will understand you’re just looking to be sure its a good fit for you before you take another step.

Starting anything new can be scary – the first day at school, the first day on a new job, the first day at a new church…or the first time you volunteer for a new charity. We hope you’ll find articles here that help alleviate some of your anxiety and make it easier for you to take the first step towards a new volunteer adventure. We’ll show you easy ways you can find just the right opportunity and how you can feel confident that the charity you’re considering is a solid organization. We’ll give you questions you can ask your Coordinator to be sure the opportunity is a good fit for you. And we’ll interview specific Jacksonville charities to give you a crystal clear idea of what it is really like to be a volunteer for them – what tasks you’ll perform, how much time you need, what skills they need and what training they can offer you.