Dear Karen,
And those of you who are interested in volunteering for local shelters.  I
have just a few points to make.  Karen mentioned that she has made 5 calls
to the FACT shelter.  FACT is the ONLY CT shelter.  It is also operated by
two wonderful women who must work to pay the rent.  They have an answering
machine and try their best to return calls.  Please call and leave a message
that you indeed would like to volunteer.  I know presently they have no
volunteers helping them.
 
The next few points are for those who are indeed interested in volunteering
at ANY shelter please realize that while it is fun to be there, you are
needed to help out.  -- That means chores, refilling water bowls, bottles,
restocking food bowls and even cleaning litter boxes.  While it is great to
think of playing with the kids, you should schedule that in between chore...
otherwise you are not helping, but hindering the work schedule.
 
The next point to consider is setting up a schedule and keeping it.  Most
shelter operators have other obligations as this is not a paying proposition
here.  All shelters are a negative profit setup.  It costs far more to
process, feed, vet check and vaccinate animals -- not to mention those who
require more vet help -- than shelters ever get in adoption fees.  This
means that they have schedules to keep to keep a roof on the shelter.
Please be considerate.
 
I am speaking here only from experience, and very poor experience at that.
We have had numerous volunteers at our sheller.  Most showed up the first
day, watched and never showed up again.  A few showed up once and never
showed up for appointed times later.  If you sincerely want to volunteer
please understand that shelters not only care for the ferrets there, they
also run rescue calls, have vet appointments, business appointments, etc.
ALL to keep the shelter running.
 
And thanks for really wanting to volunteer.  I know FACT is at capacity as
they have all the ferrets that were in the way of their owners taking
vacations.  -- So call them to adopt and keep trying they are busy folks too!
[Posted in FML issue 1649]