Baltimore County, MD Department of Health and Human Services, 18 Jul 2017

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From YouTube: Baltimore County Animal Services Volunteers

Description

Interview with Baltimore County Animal Services volunteers.

A

I volunteer at baltimore county animal services because it's a very respectable place to volunteer.

A

They take great care of their animals, they're, very loving, towards them,.

A

And they're very receptive to anybody who comes in there.

B

The reason that I decided to become a volunteer is because.

B

Most of my life, I've spent working with people or children.

B

And I decided that it's now time to give to the animals.

B

I volunteer here because I want to help all the animals.

C

That are in need, get adopted, and there are so many cats and dogs.

C

That come through here that need really great loving homes.

C

And it's great to see people come through and give these animals great homes.

D

I volunteer at baltimore county animals services because I love dogs.

D

I adopted one of my dogs here about ten years ago and I like coming out and walking them and socializing them so that hopefully they become more adoptable.. I want to make their stay here a little bit. Easier.

E

A lot of these animals have been dropped off or they've been found.

E

Because they lost their way from their home, and I really just want to be part of their saving grace.

E

That can help them believe in humans. Again..

E

I volunteer at baltimore county animal services.

F

Because I've spent all my life with animals.

F

I grew up with them,. It was a big part of my life.

F

And it was time for me to give back.

F

Like I said, they've enriched my life and knowing that these animals.

F

Need some enrichment of their own,, I'm happy to volunteer.

F

I volunteer at baltimore county animals, shelter.

G

Because I want to give something back to my hometown: --.

G

I was born and raised in baltimore county,.

G

And I'm interested in getting as many animals into forever homes as possible.

G

Using the skills that I have.

D

When I come and volunteer, I typically come in and take a look at the dogs that are here and then pick one of the dogs to work. With.

D

Usually, there's 10 to 15 dogs that are available..

D

We go for a walk and then bring them to the play. Yard,.

D

Let them run around, play, play fetch,, just be a dog.

C

I spend time with both the dogs and the cats and one of the things that the behaviorist here, will, has taught us how to do.

C

Is show the dogs how to sit when you come up to them in their kennel,.

C

Show them how to listen to you and you are the leader.

C

And not jump and try and come out of the kennel first,.

C

And then I try and just get all the dogs out along with all the other volunteers here.

C

Who want to make sure they have time running around and out of their kennel and getting all that energy out.

C

And then I'll come spend time in the cat room as well, and it's the same kind of thing.. You can take them in the meet and greet rooms,.

C

We can let them play around a little bit, or just getting them out of their kennels.

C

And spending time with them and getting them comfortable around people,.

C

Giving them attention, and that's a lot of what I do around here.

H

Well, I started here in may of 2016 and I started as a dog walker.

H

Since then, I come three times a week and am involved with any of the dogs.

H

That need enrichment or walking..

H

It's been really rewarding getting the dogs out,.

H

Getting them some exercise, getting them some caring,, some loving,.

H

Things that they need leading up to their adoptions.

H

And it's been fun.

I

My favorite part is just seeing the dogs get adopted and seeing them improve., some of them come in pretty rowdy, and then they end up being pretty well trained.

I

So,, it's nice to see them get adopted and improve behavior.

B

What I do as a volunteer at the baltimore county, services,.

B

I had started out walking dogs and getting to know each dog.

B

And with the hopes that, eventually, I can move on to the other animals at the shelter.

B

My favorite animal that I've worked. With's name was flash.

G

He was a golden retriever/lab mix.

G

We was very, very active,, very rambunctious,, but very friendly.

G

And he just needed a little bit of manners training in order to get adopted.

G

I worked with him for about three hours in one week.

G

We went to an adoption event together and he was the first dog to get adopted that day..

G

He was a younger cat and it was a family coming through.

C

With three little girls and they wanted a younger animal to play.

C

And grow up with them and we brought them in.

C

The meet and greet room- and it was an immediate --.

C

They clicked with the cat really well.. He was so sweet with --. The littlest daughter was maybe five.

C

And he was the best with her, and that was awesome and it was just--.

C

It made my heart melt to see him go home with them.

C

The animal I worked with in the past was harley.

D

He was a pit bull mix that was here for about three months.

D

He was very shy in his cage and didn't show very well,, so we got him outside and just spent time. Petting him, loving on him,.

D

Showing him basic obedience, skills, and he ended up getting pulled by a rescue.

D

And adopted around christmas time last year.

E

I would tell a volunteer, who is thinking about volunteering at the baltimore county animal services that it's a great experience,.

E

You're going to meet a lot of great people who care about animals as much as you do.

F

I would say to somebody looking to volunteer at the animal shelter.

F

Is that this will be a two-way street., you will get so much more out of it,. It will enrich your life --.

F

And you will be helping that animal in need.

F

If anyone wants to volunteer here,, it's a great way to help out,.

C

It's a great way to meet people who also care about animals.

C

Just as much as you do., it gives you a really good feeling., even if no one gets adopted that day, just to spend time with the animals themselves.

C

And to see them be happy and be out and about.

C

And engaging with someone is awesome and then it's even greater when you see them go home with a good family.

J

If you're looking to volunteer at baltimore county animal services,.

J

It really has changed me in the sense of getting to know my community,.

J

Getting to know others, and just seeing these animals.

J

Grow over time,, it kind of changes how you see, things.

J

Just watching them, you know, come in maybe super skinny.

J

And then they gain weight and then they find their forever family.

J

And then you get update pictures and it just changes. What's important.

J

It makes life more fulfilled.

K

Just come in with an open heart., it's really rewarding.

K

I never knew how much I would get out of it.

K

I kept thinking. I was here to help, you know,, the animals,, you know,.

K

But I got so much out of it., it's relaxing for me,. It's wonderful to see the animals relax.

K

And become more loving,, and I would just, like I said,.

K

Come in with an open heart., my advice to new volunteers is to just come in and try it.

A

It's a wonderful place.. The volunteer, coordinator, heidi, is just super.

A

She loves having people there, she'll. Tell you anything. You need to know,.

A

She'll help you out, and just direct you.

A

Where you need to go and be with the people, you need to be with.

A

So come and try it out --, either dogs or cats..

A

It's both wonderful. ( ♪♪♪ ).