Volunteering at the Animal Defense League
Written by Guest Teen Writer, Jennifer Zilly
Main photo: This is Melon. He is a blind 10-year old lack lab who has lived at the Animal Defense League his entire life.
In addition to fostering puppies and kittens at the Animal Defense League, I also volunteer there on a weekly basis. Although my schedule can get very busy during the school year with homework and basketball, I try to find time to volunteer as often as I can on the weekends. I have been volunteering at the Animal Defense League on and off for about six years now, and I actually adopted one of my dogs from there while working an adoption event in 2001.
The Animal Defense League is a non-profit, no-kill shelter that is home to about one hundred dogs and a handful of cats on any given day. Although the shelter staff tries to give every animal individual attention, it simply isn’t possible with so many resident dogs and cats. That is where the volunteers come in. While the staff provides for the basic needs of each animal (food, water, clean runs and litter boxes), the volunteers are responsible for socializing and providing exercise to the animals. The Animal Defense League is blessed with many dedicated volunteers, many of whom help out multiple days per week. We take the dogs on long walks, help with the upkeep of the cattery, bathe puppies, transport dogs and cats to adoption events, do front office work, and distribute toys and supplies.
As you can see, there are many different ways to help out at the shelter. I, however, enjoy walking and socializing dogs the most. Many of the more energetic dogs are eager to get to the shelter’s “pet park” and stretch their legs. It is always fun to play Frisbee with a dog, or watch a dog splash around in the kiddie pools.
Over the years, I have tried to focus my energy on one seemingly scared or timid dog, and get that dog to the point where he/she is more likely to be adopted. Last year, I would visit Kylee every week, a chubby heeler mix that would cower in the back of her kennel when anyone would come near her. The first few weeks were very tough, because she would constantly run away from me when I got too close to her. Not much time passed before she morphed into a completely different dog, though. Before long she was running laps in the pet park and jumping in and out of the kiddie pools. She would chase balls that I threw to her, and she actually let me pet her on occasion. She would even wag her tail at visitors and eagerly wait to go on walks. After spending roughly a year at the Animal Defense League, Kylee finally got adopted by a loving family. It just goes to show that a little attention can go a long way.
Current "Pet" Projects
This is Jaqui. She is my current “project”. She came in very shy, and she is slowly coming out of her shell. Unfortunately, she has become incredibly attached to me, but dislikes men and children.
This is Freckles. She is my other “project”. She is the sweetest dog, but she has boundless energy, and she has mastered the art of fence-climbing.