Finding the perfect pet can involve spending quite a bit of time in animal shelters – but it didn’t take much for David Klemow, Public Relations Specialist at Carvana, to know Tuna was the pup for him.
“We adopted Tuna in July of 2020. It took a long time to get into the shelter. We get there, and the dog we had our eye on had just been adopted that morning. We were kind of at a loss, and the people at the shelter said they had just gotten this sweet little guy in the night before. Ten minutes and a bag of cocktail weiners later, we were taking him home.”
Adopting Tuna didn’t just give David an impawssibly sweet friend to accompany him – it also motivated him to try and help shelter animals live healthier, happier lives.
“The shelters are really overrun, so it’s up to people to reach into the kindness of their hearts and open up their homes or wallets to help these animals. Once we got Tuna, whatever we could do to help the other animals, we would.”
Today, animal shelters need volunteers more than ever. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adoption rates soared as people stuck at home sought out the companionship of a furry friend. Unfortunately, adoption rates have dropped significantly recently, leaving local shelters across the country overflowing with animals.
That’s not all. According to a poll conducted by Best Friends Animal Society, 87% of U.S. shelters are understaffed. The combination of overcrowding and understaffing makes it difficult for shelter employees to spend one-on-one time with animals despite their best efforts.
That’s where volunteers like David and organizations like Four Paws and Friends come in. Andrea Alden, a Founding Board member at Four Paws explained,
“We wanted to do something to help. We formed a non-profit to provide weekly enrichment to the dogs and cats at the county shelter.”
Four Paws and Friends helps shelter dogs and cats like Tuna that don’t find their David quickly receive the love and care they deserve. Partnering with Four Paws and Friends, David and Carvana helped supply local shelters and rescues, such as Heidi’s Village, with much-needed enrichment toys and supplies.
“This donation is going to be so beneficial to the dogs at our shelter. When we’re able to give them these toys and things to do, it keeps them healthy and happy,” said Hannah Carl, Heidi’s Village Marketing Manager.
“Everybody’s doing the best they can to care for them, but since they’re not living in an environment where they’re getting the stimulation from an owner or another pet, it’s important for them to stay physically and mentally occupied,” adds Alden.
If you want to help out local shelters near you (and maybe find a Tuna of your own in the process), even the smallest contribution helps. According to Carl,
“There are so many ways to help that there’s almost no reason not to. Whether you’re adopting, volunteering, or just spreading the word we exist and are here to help.”
Want to Volunteer at an Animal Shelter? Take Some Tips & Tricks with Your Treats!
- Start small. If finding time to volunteer is challenging, find a local shelter you like on social media and share their posts. For many shelters, social media is a vital part of their adoption pipeline – and every bit of support matters.
- Time may be the most valuable donation you can make. With shelters so understaffed, volunteers who can spend time cleaning and caring for animals help enrich the lives of our furry friends (and give staff a much-needed break).
- Take it slow. Shelters can be loud and a little anxiety-inducing the first few times you go into them. Take your time and keep the shelter staff updated on how you’re feeling – they’re there to help.
- Learn the rules. Rules for how staff should interact with animals can vary by shelter. So, make sure you ask staff for a list of dos and don’t’s wherever you plan on volunteering.
- Know that shelter animals behave differently. For many animals, shelters are stressful environments. Shelter animals can be stand-offish or scared when interacting with strangers. The staff can help you interact with each animal safely and get to know their preferences.
Donating time and resources to animal shelters is a huge help, especially now when so many are understaffed and overfilled. We’d like to thank David (and, obviously, Tuna) for highlighting how rewarding and fulfilling donating time to animals in need can be. For David, the experience has been both cathartic and motivating,
It feels very much like a no sidelines opportunity. Once you take that first step – it could be something as small as sharing an Instagram or Facebook post, or as big as fostering a dog or adopting a dog – and that’s the great thing about it, every little bit helps.
David Klemow, Public Relations Specialist
Learn More About Heidi’s Village
Heidi’s Village exists to foster a community where all animals are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. – Hannah Carl
Heidi’s Village provides low-cost boarding and veterinary care for other rescues, helping them deal with overcrowding and providing medical care to injured animals. The organization also has its own rescue and adoption program dedicated to rehoming surrendered and stray pets. The Village’s Smitten Kitten Nursery provides 24/7 care for neonate kittens and puppies (and yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds).
Follow Heidi’s Village to learn more and keep up-to-date with their events:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Learn More About Four Paws and Friends
Founded in 2019, Four Paws and Friends is a non-profit dedicated to helping needy pets. Four Paws and Friends organizes enrichment events to supply animal shelters with toys and care, public dog walks, and provides medical and behavioral care for owned dogs to prevent them from being surrendered or re-homed.
Stay up to date with what Four Paws and Friends is doing next:
