Animal rescue group volunteers aren't super-human but they are heroes

October 31, 11:52 AMDallas Animal Rescue ExaminerRebecca Poling

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Samantha Castillo comforts a dog rescued from a puppy mill

I spent yesterday helping out a local rescue group and it reminded me again how hard these groups work and how essential they are to saving homeless pets in our community.

Michael Epperson helps at an adoption event

Most of these groups are 100% volunteer organizations, with not a single paid staff member.  The people who run them are not independently wealthy.  They have jobs, families, and responsibilities just like the rest of us.  But instead of going home each evening and relaxing in front of the TV or aimlessly surfing the web, these dedicated volunteers spend their free time caring for the dozens of homeless animals in their foster programs, coordinating volunteers, equipment and animals for weekend adoption events, qualifying potential adopters, and helping recent adopters as they acclimate their new dog or cat to their home and family.  And when they're not caring for homeless animals or helping match them with new owners, they're raising money to pay for boarding, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, routine vet care and emergency vet care.  On weekends they spend their days transporting animals from foster homes and boarding facilities to adoption venues, caring for the animals at the events, and talking with potential adopters. They work tirelessly to promote their organizations, market their animals, account for their finances and pay their bills, while planning special events and recruiting volunteers. They attend board meetings, committee meetings, and marketing meetings.

Susan Kilgore and friends help out at Spay Day 2009

Animal rescue volunteers seldom have much free time or anything you'd classify as a "social life", but they save lives day in and day out and seldom complain. Animal rescue is hard.  It’s physically demanding and emotionally draining.  There is never enough money nor volunteers, and there is never enough time.  But they persevere. These are my heroes. Want to be a hero, too?  Volunteer, donate, foster or adopt.

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