Volunteer Testimonials

Emily

Emily L., Customer Care Team

Why does WPCAS matter?

  • WPCAS makes an unbelievably huge impact on the community. Not only are programs, like the Barn Cat Program, and TNR program, offered to the public but so are Target Spay/Neuters, and field RTO's. They also have very dedicated, hard working Animal Control Officers that spend countless hours helping loose dogs find safety off of the roads, and away from wild animals. 

Why is WPCAS important to YOU?

  • I started volunteering at WPCAS when I was barely 17, and trying to find "my place" in this world. I was about to graduate high school, and had no idea what career field I was going to go into, whether I was going to go to college or not, or any idea of what I was generally doing with my life. WPCAS gave me a hobby, a family, and a passion. I found the joy of helping animals in need, while also helping the public in need.

What impact does your volunteer role have on the community and those you help?

  • I primarily work in the office, helping the public, answering phone calls, and trying to match up lost and found dogs with their owners. While being in the office, I have learned and studied the animal laws that are in place in Parker County, learned about how to help the public, and how to spread awareness and educate the public on being a responsible pet owner. I find myself frequently educating the community about the local animal laws, and explaining why things are done the way they are. I help spread awareness of microchipping, what to do if you lose your dog, or find one on the street as well. 

How do you feel about your experience at WPCAS?

  • My experience has been nothing but rewarding. 

What do you like most about volunteering at WPCAS?

  • The satisfaction of saving lives, and reuniting animals with their owners, as well as the family you get with becoming a volunteer. When I first started volunteering, I did not expect to be welcomed into the best, supportive, loving family that is the staff and volunteers. 

What does it feel like to be a part of the Customer Care Team? How has it changed you?

  • It has given me endless knowledge and awareness about what happens "behind the scenes." You learn that everything happens for a reason, there are reasons to why things are done the way they are, and there is a method to the madness! But it had helped me learn about the community I've grown up in, and what areas need to grow and improve. Educating the public and spreading awareness is one of the most important roles of being a volunteer, because without spreading that information and knowledge, then the negative things that happen in the community won't ever change. 

What is your favorite part about volunteering? What is your favorite “story”?

  • In the beginning of 2016, the shelter unfortunately had a sickness spread throughout the shelter, sadly putting all dogs in a state of "isolation," where they could not be taken out of their kennels to be walked. It was a very rough couple of months, and volunteers were feeling helpless, as it was very hard to get dogs adopted. One of the dogs that was here while this happened, was a gorgeous, brindle, pit bull mix named Star. I had walked her a few times before the quarantine, and instantly connected with her. Every once and a while... you happen upon a dog at the shelter that you just click with, and that was this girl. I visited her in her kennel everyday while she was in quarantine, and constantly shared her picture on social media, hoping she would get adopted. Finally, after a couple of months, the quarantine was lifted, and we were able to get dogs out of the kennels again. I was the first person who RAN over to the kennels, and she was the first dog that I took out, and went on a run with her. And if anyone knows me... I don't run. But I ran for her. Unfortunately, she ended up being there for a few months, and ended up being placed on the urgent list. I couldn't believe no one wanted to adopt this sweet girl that I had fallen in love with! On her last day, I kept her out of her kennel all day, walking her around and introducing her to potential adopters that came in. I was FLOODING social media of pictures of her, and videos of her, as you could hear me crying in the background and pleading for someone come and adopt her. Finally, about an hour from closing, the SWEETEST family came in, looking for a new member to add to their family. I took this couple and their two kids to the play yards and introduced them to Star, where they fell in love with her. With tears running down my face, I walked them back over to the office for them to start filling out paperwork. I will never forget this day, and never forget Star. The mother got my contact information, and has kept me updated on Star (now Pumpkin) over the last almost 3 years.

What would you say to someone who might consider volunteering with WPCAS?

  • Just DO IT! Take the chance. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say, "I would love to volunteer, but I would want to take them all home!" I have learned over the years to turn that want into the drive to find them another home. Since I can't take you home, I'm determined to find a home for you! You will be welcomed into the best kind of family who will show you the ropes, and welcome you into the rescue world! The good days will never stop outweighing the bad days.

Would you recommend this volunteer experience to others? Why?

  • 100% YES! It is so rewarding and even the smallest of actions have the BIGGEST impact on the animals at the shelter, and in the community. Educating the public, spreading awareness, and always pushing for #adoptdontshop!

Glindolyn W., Customer Care Team

Why does WPCAS matter?

  • Many animals from our community are being helped by WPCAS.

Why is WPCAS important to YOU?

  • Their job is not an easy one but the entire staff always puts the animals first and their hearts are kind and loving toward the animals. The medical staff does an amazing job with limited resources and always puts the best interest of the animals first. 

What impact does your volunteer role have on the community and those you help?

  • As a volunteer I have seen people reunited with their pets so many times and very happy they were safe at the shelter

How do you feel about your experience at WPCAS?

  • You will have happy tears and sad tears as a volunteer but the happy tears far outweigh the sad tears. Each person who volunteers at WPCAS contributes to the overall wellbeing of the animals and it is worth the time and effort to volunteer to help the animals in our community. It is hard work and takes dedication but the rewards both physically and mentally make it worth it. 

What do you like most about volunteering at WPCAS?

  • 4 years ago after losing our sweet dog of 17 years we weren’t ready to get another dog so I started volunteering as a dog walker and it was a very rewarding experience. At my age after a couple years I now work in the office which I love because I like interacting with the public and doing paperwork and answering the phone and believe me the phone is always ringing.

Would you recommend this volunteer experience to others? Why?

  • I highly recommend volunteering at WPCAS for the benefit of the animals and yourself, you won’t need a gym membership if you volunteer. The dogs enjoy getting out of their kennels every day and we need lots of volunteers to make that happen. The kitties enjoy play time as well.

Nancy

Nancy R., Animal Care Team

Why does WPCAS matter?

  • It is wonderful place that you can come to make a difference in animals lives.

Why is WPCAS important to YOU?

  • WPCAS is important to me because I feel that I have made a true impact on the animals and people in the community. It is so rewarding to me to see the looks on the adopters face when I take that happy trails picture not to mention the excitement the dog or cat when they know they have a new home.

What impact does your volunteer role have on the community and those you help?

  • I believe the impact I have had is to teach people that the shelter is not that scary sad place that most people believe it is . It is a place of team work and dedication to making these unwanted pets loved again. I have provided education on proper pet care, importance of spay and neuter and Heartworm treatment and preventative. I have made as many people as I can know that the shelter is there and the hard work we do. I have been successful in getting many people I know to adopt and am someone people reach out to to inquire about potential adoptions.

How do you feel about your experience at WPCAS?

  • My experience at the shelter has been extremely rewarding to me. Not to say that I haven't shed a few tears but overall I am very happy and proud of what I do. When I have someone approach me in the community to tell me about the dog or cat I assisted them with I feel such pride. I always take time to see the many pictures they have or hear how much they love their new family member.

What do you like most about volunteering at WPCAS?

  • There are so many things I like about volunteering. I am so fortunate to be allowed to work with the scared dogs that may not be seen by the public. I take my blanket and treats and sit by their cage until they begin to trust me. To see them walk out with their new family is simply the best. I give them a big hug and off they go. Just walking the trails or sitting in the yards with dogs gives me peace of mind and gets my mind off everything else that may be going on in my life.

What does it feel like to (your choice of volunteer role)? How has it changed you?

  • I have been fortunate to do many things at the shelter. I have attended many off sites participate in volunteer recruitment activities but most just give these unwanted pets some much needed attention. I love meeting new people and being able to tell them about our animals. I am able to sit with people and listen to the stories of the pets they have loved and lost and work very hard to match them with a new one.

What is your favorite part about volunteering? What is your favorite “story”?

  • My favorite part of volunteering is seeing the joy on the faces of the adopters as well as their new pet. These animals truly know they have been saved! Probably my favorite story was on a very busy Saturday. I was trying to talk to everyone and saw a couple walking up and down the kennels looking at dogs. I asked them how I could help. They slowly told me that the husband had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. His doctor told him that he needed to get a dog and not just any dog but a dog that needed them. I was able to point them to the perfect one. She was a pit bull (not the easiest of breeds to get adopted) who had been sick and not out of her kennel for two weeks. She was also Heartworm positive. I took her out and they immediately fell in love. They renamed her baby because they say she is truly their baby. I have been very fortunate to see them from time to time. She goes everywhere with them and that big girl even sleeps in the bed with them. She is now Heartworm negative and the husband's cancer is in remission. They hug my neck and tell me thank you every time they see me. This is what it is all about.

What would you say to someone who might consider volunteering with WPCAS?

  • I would say give it a try and you will be amazed at how it will change your life!

Would you recommend this volunteer experience to others? Why?

  • I would definitely recommend volunteering. I have been a nurse for thirty years and in my short time at the shelter I have never felt so good about the difference I have made in my life as well at the lives of others.