For the past three weeks I have been going to volunteer training at Lollypop Farms here in Rochester. Each Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 a group of 40 or so new volunteers met at the main shelter for information and training sessions. They were a lot of fun, and now I am ready to begin working at the PetSmart and helping out.

As mentioned in an earlier post we got our good friend Charlie from this shelter (actually from their PetSmart affiliate) last January. Ever since then I had been wanting to give back to such a great organization and finally got around to making the training sessions in October. They only train new volunteers twice a year, in October and in May.

Lollypop takes volunteering very seriously because there are so many animals and so many jobs that need to get done, and they want to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible. There are three days of training and each covers a different topic.

Day 1: A history of Lollypop and a Tour
The first day we saw a slide show explaining the history of the Humane Society of Greater Rochester at Lollypop Farms and explaining what it is that they do.

This shelter is the largest one in Monroe County and takes in 14,000 pets a year (14,464 in 2007) with an average of 56 per day! They are a kill shelter because they simply don't have the space to store so many animals coming in. Lollypop will accept any pet or domestic animal, including farm animals, and often has an over abundance of cats and horses.

All animals are given thorough veterinary exams (and spayed/neutered) as well as temperament tests to make sure they are suitable for adoption and won't hurt people - and although it is a kill shelter there is no time frame for euthanasia; pets are only put down when there simply is no other space for new animals and they are suffering. (Depression, anxiety, old age, illness, etc)

Lollypop will never turn away any animal coming in, unless it is a wild animal which by law they cannot handle. They also are in charge of animals in abuse cases that are being tried and will house all animals in dispute until the trials are over.

Of the 14,000 that come in each year about 1/2 of those make it out and are adopted. It's a somewhat grim statistic but this includes all those that are old, sick, and mean tempered, not just those that are put down to make space for new animals. Of the 14,464 that came in during 2007 only 8,703 were found to be adoptable and of those 6,783 were successfully adopted, or 78%.

I was amazed to learn that the number 1 reason for turning in a pet was because the owner was moving to a "no pets apartment" and couldn't take the animal with them. I can't even conceive of looking at no pet apartments when we have Charlie! I guess it depends on how much of a member of the family the animal is...

Lollypop has a main location in Fairport, NY where they house the large majority of the animals. They also partner with a local PetSmart and have several cats and small animals up for adoption there.


Day 2: How to think like a Dog or Cat
It's easy to see the animals at the shelter and think they are going to act the same as your pets at home - however animals in shelters are very stressed out.

Imagine having a stable, loving family and routine, and then being tossed with hundreds of other animals in a tiny cage with new people every day, loud noises, and strange smells. Most of the cats and dogs adjust after a little while but they can be very stressed, anxious, depressed, and fearful.

The second day of training was all about how to handle the animals when they are going through these emotional problems and the best way to ensure safety for animals and humans. We watched videos that explained how to interpret the body language of animals and determine their emotional states.


Day 3: Zoonoses aka Human and Animal Transferable Diseases
The third day was the most interesting, and also the most scary. The veterinarian from the shelter came and explained the large majority of diseases that can be transferred from human to animal and vice versa, and the best way to avoid contracting things or spreading disease to your pets at home. Can you guess the best way to stop disease?

WASH YOUR HANDS!

Most of the diseases and mites that we can get from animals are simply annoying. Cats can be carriers of strep throat, dogs can give fleas, etc. There are several types of things that animals can transmit: infection from bites and scratches, skin diseases, urinary diseases, respiratory symptoms, and gastrointestinal problems. Most of the illnesses and infections are transferred fecal or fluid to oral - meaning if you don't wash your hands and get cat snot on you then eat a sandwich you might get sick.

By far the best way to prevent sickness is hand washing, for at least 20 seconds, any time you touch an animal, even if you think you know the animal is healthy. And to prevent transmitting illness to your home pet you should bring a spare set of clothes - this way if a dog barfs on you you don't wear the barf home and have your dog sniff it and then get sick too. Obviously preventing all zoonoses would be impossible, but common sense and hygiene can go a long way.

After fully learning the layout and history of Lollypop, the way to think like a stressed out cat or dog, and the way to best prevent getting myself or Charlie sick, I am ready to begin really volunteering.

I am most interested in helping out with PetSmart because that's where we got Charles and because it is much closer to my home. I am waiting to hear from the scheduler to set up a regular time for coming in - and of course I need to pick up my official volunteer uniform polo shirt....

I can't wait to start and to get involved in my community again.