I've been volunteering at the SPCA recently and I'm loving it! :) I had two theory training before I actually got a shift working as an adoption counselor. I am now paired up with a senior volunteer who is my 'coach'. She shows me everything and is really nice and we seem to work together well. That pairing makes it less scary to stand there and try and help people find their perfect pet. The volunteer's shift are 3 hours and I work Saturdays from 11 to 2. I find that shift kinda weird as I get uber hungry!
I was surprised at the amount of filtering that takes place before an adoption. There's a form to fill out before we even give out any info on a animal. Clients are allowed to peruse the cages and look at the kitties and doggies but we can't talk about them until they fill out this form. It's basically information about where they live, what kind of pets they had in the past and how they intent to treat their pets (with questions like 'where will the animal sleep?' and 'do you intent to declaw?') There are multiple red flag questions which, if answered wrong, will terminate any adoption process. They are very thorough to ensure the animal will find a good home and more importantly, a forever home. We do not want animals that are adopted to end up back at the SPCA.
It's important to point out that the SPCA is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It's not a pet shop. Our goal is not to sell these dogs and cats. We aren't working for the client like a good salesman but for the animal. We do want people to adopt the animals as they deserve a good forever home, however, we must ensure that this is exactly what it is. I have the power to refuse an adoption if I find the client to be suspicious. It goes beyond saying that any person coming to the SPCA to buy a dog for breeding or to become a guard dog/attack dog will be turned down.
I'm very happy knowing I'm doing something good and I came back home with a smile on my face. Of course, seeing the face of all those adorable animals without a home broke my heart but I know we'll find them some. One forever home at a time :)
http://www.spcamontreal.com/intro.php?lg=fr
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/QC06.html
I was surprised at the amount of filtering that takes place before an adoption. There's a form to fill out before we even give out any info on a animal. Clients are allowed to peruse the cages and look at the kitties and doggies but we can't talk about them until they fill out this form. It's basically information about where they live, what kind of pets they had in the past and how they intent to treat their pets (with questions like 'where will the animal sleep?' and 'do you intent to declaw?') There are multiple red flag questions which, if answered wrong, will terminate any adoption process. They are very thorough to ensure the animal will find a good home and more importantly, a forever home. We do not want animals that are adopted to end up back at the SPCA.
It's important to point out that the SPCA is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It's not a pet shop. Our goal is not to sell these dogs and cats. We aren't working for the client like a good salesman but for the animal. We do want people to adopt the animals as they deserve a good forever home, however, we must ensure that this is exactly what it is. I have the power to refuse an adoption if I find the client to be suspicious. It goes beyond saying that any person coming to the SPCA to buy a dog for breeding or to become a guard dog/attack dog will be turned down.
I'm very happy knowing I'm doing something good and I came back home with a smile on my face. Of course, seeing the face of all those adorable animals without a home broke my heart but I know we'll find them some. One forever home at a time :)
http://www.spcamontreal.com/intro.php?lg=fr
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/QC06.html
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