So, I decided I wanted to do something useful with my Saturdays a while back. Had some time on my hands, you know? And I’ve always had a soft spot for animals. Figured volunteering at the local shelter, the Dunn County Humane Association, would be a good fit. Sounded straightforward enough.
I first went online, looked up their volunteer info. Seemed like they always needed help. So, I drove down there one afternoon. Had to fill out some paperwork, basic stuff. Then they had me come in for an orientation session the next week. It was pretty standard – rules, procedures, what to expect. They showed us around the place.
Getting into the thick of it
My first few Saturdays were mostly about cleaning. Lots of cleaning. Kennels, cat rooms, laundry – you name it. Didn’t mind it too much, knew it was part of the deal. Gotta keep things tidy for the animals and potential adopters. They started me off with the cats mostly. Scooping litter boxes, refreshing water, making sure they had food. Some cats were super friendly, rubbing all over you. Others just wanted to hide. You learn their personalities quick.
After a bit, they let me help out more with the dogs. Walking them was the best part, obviously. Getting them outside for some air and exercise. You could see how much they needed it. Some dogs were easy peasy, just happy to trot along. Others were strong pullers, full of pent-up energy. You really had to brace yourself sometimes. It wasn’t just casual strolling; it was work, making sure they were safe and handled right.
What really struck me
It wasn’t all petting cute animals, though. That’s the picture people have, I think. What really hit me was the sheer number of animals coming through. Every week, seemed like new faces, new stories. And some of them, man, they looked like they’d been through rough times. Scared, skinny, sometimes injured. That part was tough. You’d get attached to one, hope they find a home fast, and then you see them still there week after week.
Here’s the thing they don’t always tell you:
- It’s noisy. Constant barking. It gets into your head after a few hours.
- It’s emotionally draining sometimes. Seeing the sad cases, hoping for the best but knowing not every story has a perfect ending right away.
- The staff and regular volunteers work incredibly hard. Seriously, it’s non-stop for them. Dealing with the public, vet visits, intakes, adoptions, on top of the daily care.
I remember one dog, this older beagle mix. Super sweet, but quiet. Just sat in his kennel mostly. People walked right past him, looking for puppies or more energetic dogs. I made a point to take him out each time I was there, give him some extra attention. Took weeks, but he eventually got adopted by an older lady. Seeing that, yeah, that made the tougher parts feel worthwhile.
So, that was my stint volunteering down there. Did it for about six months pretty regularly. It wasn’t glamorous, involved a lot of bleach and poop-scooping, and sometimes it pulled at the heartstrings more than I expected. But you saw firsthand the difference a little time and care could make for those animals waiting for their next chance. Definitely gave me a real appreciation for the folks who do that work day in and day out.
