Working at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation requires me to use my brain sometimes...well, actually, all the time. It's not just walking dogs and cleaning up poop. My colleagues and I are constantly fighting against the "forces" that are trying to compromise the mental stability of the dogs staying at the shelter. These "forces" could be any number of things, and their effect on each dog will vary greatly from dog to dog. But by far the most challenging "force" is the dog's length of stay. What I mean is that the longer a dog lives in the shelter, the more likely they are to mentally and physically deteriorate.
Not every dog decays, but every dog is at risk from the moment they arrive at a shelter to the moment they leave. My job involves working with the dogs who are at risk. We provide activities to keep both their minds and bodies engaged. Simple things, like sitting with a dog and reading to them for 20 minutes or taking them for a walk, can make a world of difference. 5 days a week staff organize groups of dogs to play together on the field; in addition to the mental and physical exercise this provides the dogs, it also ensures that the dogs stay well socialized and get to practice their play skills.
Every day, we also try to take a dog or two on "field trip". Puppies get trips to the nearby shopping center where they can sit on our laps and watch all the people, cars, dogs, and kids that may pass by. Older dogs get the opportunity to go on walks in any number of Open Spaces. The closest park is Lime Ridge Open Space. The dogs get to smell new smells, chase lizards and squirrels, and just enjoy the great outdoors. Here's a picture of Charlotte de Barry and her buddy Johnny on a stroll in Lime Ridge today:
I am also a member of the Enrichment Committee. The goal of this committee is to brainstorm and implement new ways to enrich the animals. We mostly think of original, inexpensive toys that we can make ourselves or everyday things that can be used with the cats and dogs. For example, it is enriching for the animals to spend some time listening to the radio or digging through a cardboard box to find a hidden treat. Volunteers donate random items all the time that we find ways to use; we have a couple plastic baby pools that we fill with water and let the dogs romp around in. Here's a photo of what one of the kitten rooms looked like after they got the chance to play with some shredded paper; a drag to clean up, but there is no doubt that they had some fun with that:
How can you help? If you have time to volunteer at a local shelter, spending 15 minutes with a shelter dog or cat will help that animal live successfully at the shelter. If you have spare dog beds, cat beds, toys, or blankets just laying around your house, free up some space and donate them to a shelter. Think you have some random item that the shelter could use for enrichment? Call the shelter and see if they could use it; you'd be surprised what they can do with your left-overs.
Here's your chance...Make a difference in some cat or dog's life TODAY!
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