Betsy is looking for a forever home. Volunteering at the Brown County Humane Society shelter has a direct impact on the animals in the shelter and can help them get adopted as volunteers learn more about them. To learn more about volunteering or adopting a pet visit www.bchumane.org.
Submitted
There are lots of opportunities for volunteer work. But for some people, helping the plight of animals in need makes the most sense.
I had the chance to talk to Ryan last week about her volunteer work at the Brown County Humane Society shelter.
She moved to Bloomington a little over a year ago. She said with a new job and new location, spending one day a week at the humane society shelter gave her a chance to get to know the area and people.
Q: Why did you decide to volunteer at BCHS?
A: I used to volunteer with a small dog rescue in Louisville and wanted the same kind of feeling with the next shelter I volunteered at. I didn’t want to be in a city shelter because things are always so hectic and there are only so many things you can do. With smaller shelters you can have a more active role and get to know the people and animals better. I’ve noticed how much time and money they put into all the animals who are here. At first when I moved here, I worked long shifts so I didn’t have time to care for a dog. Going to Brown County, I could get my dog fix. It’s my therapy day. It is as much for me as for the animals.
Q: What do you do at the shelter?
A: I was doing morning dog care, but as needs changed I moved over to cat care. It’s different, but I really enjoy it. We make sure they have food and water, clean up after them. Then we get the shelter cleaned up before we open the doors. There are usually four employees and two volunteers in the morning. Brown County is really nice because they let you take dogs out on excursions. I call it my “rent-a-dog program.” If I want to go hiking, or take a dog out to Nashville or on a long walk, you can see how a dog does in the car or how they do in strange places with strange people. You can fill out their profile and it gives them a better chance of being adopted.
I agree with Ryan. Volunteering at the shelter is therapy. If you need a cat or dog fix, BCHS has several volunteer opportunities like dog walker, morning animal care, shelter assistant, cat biography writer, handy-person, special events, foster care and more.
Learn about all of the available opportunities by visiting their website: www.bchumane.org/volunteer.
— By Barbara Yarnell, Brown County Humane Society volunteer
