CCHS Volunteer Newletter

June 2003

To Volunteer Opportunities and an application to download

Hello Everyone! Summer is just beginning and we are already very busy! We have placed 1,059 animals into new homes so far this year, and just over 200 of those were last month! The dogs Mr. Hobey and Itchy are included in last months adoptions; as are the cats Suzy, Sinatra and Shenanigan! All of the staff appreciate your help and support, we couldn't do it without you!

The Giant Garage Sale has once again come and gone. We appreciate all of the help everyone was able to provide. This a huge event and it wouldn't be successful with out the help of volunteers. This years event was great, and we made about $34,000 during the sale. All of that will go to help care for all of the homeless animals in our care. Thank you again to those of you that helped, it wouldn't be the success it is without you.

The next event will be the Annual CCHS Kitten Shower on Saturday June 14th. For those of you that are not familiar with the Kitten Shower, it is designed to help find homes for cats and kittens, and enables people to bring supply donations to an easily located central drop off site for a day.

All of the adoptable cats and kittens will be taken out to Lincoln Square for the shower. Last year 86 cats and kittens found new homes at the Kitten Shower, and we hope to do even better this year. Volunteers are a vital link in making the Kitten Shower a success. It is the help of the volunteers that makes it possible to transport cats and kittens between Lincoln Square and the shelter, to handle all the donations, to help adopters handle the cats and kittens; and to keep an eye on the numerous cats and kittens while they are residing in the mall. All Cat Socializers are encouraged to help work the Kitten Shower, especially since you all know the personalities of the adult cats. I still need a lot of help for the event, so please sign up by 5:00 on Wednesday June 11th so I can have the schedule made. I still need help during the following shifts:
10 am to 1 pm (kitten watch and adoptions)
12 pm to 3 pm (kitten watch and adoptions)
2 pm to 5 pm (kitten watch and adoptions)

**Please note that if you normally come out the shelter to socialize cats on Saturdays, they will all be at the kitten shower on the 14th.**

There will be an Adoption Counseling Class on June 22nd and June 29th (both Sundays) from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the shelter. You must attend both classes to become an adoption counselor. If you would like more information on Adoption Counseling let me know and I will send it out to you. If you are interested in attending the classes, please let me know by Monday June 16th. Space and supplies are limited, so please sign up as soon as possible.

I have a few general reminders to pass along to everyone:

Please remember to use the west side door by the garage if you come to the shelter between 9 and 11 am. The front doors should not be used until 11 when the shelter opens.

Please remember to sign in and out in the Volunteer Logbook, and always wear a nametag when you are volunteering. This will help the staff and public identify you as a trained volunteer.

Please let me know in advance if you are going to bring a friend or family member with you when you volunteer. It is a safety concern for our insurance provider, and it will also allow me to make a note of it for the staff.

Also, please do not train anyone yourself. All volunteers must go thru an Orientation and training session before they may begin their volunteer time, and I have paperwork that needs to be filled out for each volunteer as they are trained.

Adopt Cats is almost ready to close. There are still 4 cats remaining for adoption in the room, the rest of them behind the curtain are kittens in the nursery. Please refrain from going into the nursery part of the room unless you are trained in medications and weights. These cats and kittens are not up for adoption! Some of them are sick, and if you visit with them you will spread their illness to the rest of the cats in the shelter, as well as yours at home.

Dogwalkers, please note the following reminders as well:

Please remember that the only dogs allowed in the play area will have "Play Area" written in red ink on their kennel card. These are the only dogs that have meet the health criteria for the play area.

There is a small gap between the double gate and the ground in the play area. We have attached added fencing to this area, but please keep a watchful eye on the perimeter of the play area for any other locations that a dog may squeeze thru. If you notice potential escape spot, please notify myself or the shelter manager Michelle as soon as possible.

While we have been having a mild spring and beginning of summer temperature wise, it will heat up before we know it. Please be on the look out for heat exhaustion as you walk dogs in the warmer temperatures. Here is a list of things to watch for with the dogs:

  1. Excessive panting and/or drooling. This is usually the earliest sign.
  2. Lying down and refusing to move. If this happens, give the dog a few
    minutes to rest before you encourage them to get up.
  3. Staggering or a "drunken walk
If you notice any of the above in a dog you are walking, please return the dog to its run immediately and notify the front desk staff so they can keep an eye on the dog. The worst case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be if a dog were to 'pass out' or just collapse during the walk. In the unlikely event of a dog collapsing, please get the front desk staff immediately so they can seek medical attention for the dog. If you watch for the early warning signs, you should be able to get the back to its run before the heat exhaustion gets too bad.

Cat Socializers, please make note of the following reminder:
 Please refrain from using blown up latex gloves or cotton balls as cat/kitten toys. These items may cause problems if the cats or kittens ingest them.

While we have been having a mild spring and beginning of summer temperature wise, it will heat up before we know it. Even though the cats are in the air conditioned shelter, it can still get hot in the adoption rooms and the get acquainted rooms; especially on the busy days when the front doors are constantly opened. A cat can also get overheated if it is playing and running around in the get acquainted room. Please keep an eye out for signs of cats with heat exhaustion:

  1. Heavy or labored breathing. This is usually the first sign.
  2. Panting with or without drooling
  3. .Drooling
  4. .Extreme lethargy


If you notice any of the above in a cat you are socializing, please return the cat to its kennel immediately and notify the front desk staff so they can keep an eye on the cat. If you watch for the early warning signs, you should be able to get the back to its run before the heat exhaustion gets too bad.

Summer is here, and all of your help will be greatly appreciated by all of
the staff as we enter the busy summer months. Thank you for your time and
dedication to helping the animals in our care.

Julie
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© 2003 - Humane Education Committee, Champaign County Humane Society, 1911 East Main, Urbana, IL 61801 USA