PAWS is rolling out several new programs starting ASAP and I would love to have some CACC volunteers involved in this. I am very excited that we will be given the opportunity to finally be able to talk to people surrendering their animals. The catch is with this new outreach program - you have to be a CACC volunteer AND a PAWS volunteer. Yes, you will even probably have to wear a PAWS t-shirt working the front desk so people can easily identify you; however, if it allows you the opportunity to talk to someone who is surrendering their pet and perhaps talk them out of it and offer them some alternatives instead, why not? I have counseled many people over the phone at PAWS into not surrendering their animal. Sometimes they just need to know options and offer them help and support. If you are interested, please send me an email to [email protected] and/or Christi Dineff, the Volunteer Program Manager - [email protected]. Details for these new programs are below. I really believe by partnering together we can save a lot more of our dogs and cats. Lets get enough volunteers so we always have someone at the front desk. PAWS CHICAGO CACC OUTREACH PROGRAM We are excited to share with you a brand new program we are rolling out – the PAWS Chicago CACC Outreach Program! As you likely are aware, Chicago’s Animal Care and Control (CACC) is an open-door shelter and is required to accept any animal brought into its facility. Very often, these are animals being relinquished by their owners. The PAWS Chicago CACC Outreach Program will be stationed at the CACC front desk, and is intended to help lower the number of cats and dogs being surrendered to CACC. Our main goal is to help owners keep their pets by offering resources such as food/supplies, free spay/neuter, and other services on a case-by-case basis. However, this program will also allow PAWS Chicago to gather information, particularly the reasons owners surrender their pets, so that we may develop additional initiatives to prevent the surrender of animals and further reduce the number of animals entering the shelter each year. This amazing program will require the support of trusted volunteers interested in working at CACC and helping not only the animals brought in, but also their families. While at CACC, volunteers will engage clients surrendering their pets, gather their personal information, and offer support to the owner by offering resources and education to potentially prevent the current surrender as well as similar future situations. Does this sound like a volunteer opportunity you want to learn more about? We will have a PAWS Chicago staff member at CACC several days this month, and we would love interested volunteers to shadow her for an hour or two to learn more this program and how they can help. The times we currently have available are the following: Thursday, November 20th, 1:00pm-5:00pm Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm-4:00pm Tuesday, November 25th, 1:00pm-4:00pm If you are interested in participating in a shadow session, please let me know as soon as possible so I can get you on the schedule. Space is limited, but the positive impact you can make on the lives of pets is limitless! PAWS CHICAGO PETS FOR LIFE PROGRAM We are launching a great new outreach program on the south side of Chicago, designed to bring animal welfare resources to underserved communities! Over 80% of pets in underserved areas are not spayed/neutered because of lack of information and resources. PAWS Chicago is bringing services directly to the community! In this program, volunteers will get to see the proactive side of animal welfare work - helping animals by helping people in a way that prevents suffering and keeps animals out of shelters. Volunteers have the opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by animal owners in underserved communities and to be part of the solution to pet overpopulation. In the community, volunteers will meet with our PAWS Chicago Outreach Manager for orientation and briefing and then will work in groups alongside the Outreach Manager, going door-to-door in under-resourced communities in Chicago offering free spay/neuter services. We hope you can join us! If possible, we would like volunteers to commit to at least two dates per month, as this program relies heavily on creating relationships. For all dates, we meet at PAWS Chicago’s Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic (3516 West 26th St. Chicago, IL 60623), have a brief meeting about the day’s objectives, and then drive to the communities together. You will be provided everything you need the day of volunteering. Just bring positivity and a smile! There are also volunteer opportunities in this program working with administrative duties and transport, so keep an eye out for more information on these positions as well, or let me know if you may be interested!
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 05:29:01 +0000