CCHS Volunteer Newletter
February 2004
Hello everyone!
January was a great month for adoptions- we sent 295 animals into new homes! Even better news is that 10 long-term residents were among those adoptions: The dogs Leo the lion, Wolfgang, Mr. Brown, Rugby and Bay went home, and the cats Jed, Clampett, Smitty, Fandango and Roger went home. It was a wonderful way to start a new year!
The Mini Adoption Event that was held at the Select Comfort store in the mall on the 31st was a huge success. We took out 9 animals and 4 of them got adopted! The store has invited us back for more adoption events, so keep an eye out for those dates to be announced as they are scheduled.
The new PhD Program (People helping Dogs) is now being implemented. As a PhD Volunteer, you will spend at least one hour a week helping the dogs by teaching basic skills so they can begin to learn manners; such as sit and walking well on a leash. PhD Volunteers will also work closely with the CCHS Staff monitoring dogs for behavioral issues that need to be addressed prior to adoption. To be eligible for the PhD program you must meet the following requirements prior to entering the program: be a regular dogwalker for at least 1 month, and you must spend at least 1 hour a week working with the dogs. Adoption Counselors and Vet Tech Assistants are also welcome to participate in the program as long as you have been a regular volunteer coming in weekly for at least 1 month. If you are interested in participating in the PhD Program, please let me know and I will have the PhD Coordinator contact you for training.
There will be an Adoption Counselor class on February 22nd and 29th (both Sunday's) from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Adoption Counselors assist the Front Desk Staff 1 to 2 hours a week by helping match adopters and animals to each other. To be eligible for the Adoption Counselor Program you must meet the
following requirements prior to entering the program: must volunteer regularly (at least 1 hour once a week) for a minimum of 1 month. If you would like to sign up for the Adoption Counselor class please let me know by Wednesday, February 18th.
Q96 will be doing a live remote at the shelter on Thursday, February 12th from 4 to 6 pm to promote the love of pets for Valentine's Day. Listen for it, and don't forget to stop by if you have a chance!
Bergner's has asked us to participate in their Community Day Event again. If you purchase a $5.00 Community Day event ticket at the shelter you will get valuable coupons for merchandise at Bergner's. The purchase price of the tickets goes directly to the shelter to benefit the animals in our care.
Community Day is Saturday, February 28th, so stop by the shelter and purchase the tickets soon.
I have a few reminders for everyone:
-It has been brought to my attention that some volunteers have started showing the general public or friends how to do dogwalking/cat socializing. Please remember that all training must be done by CCHS Staff, and that volunteers should not be training anyone unless I have authorized you to do
so. This is for everyone's safety, as well as the safety of the animals. If someone expresses an interest in working with the animals, please have them fill out the volunteer application so that they can go thru the proper training procedures.
-Please remember to always wear a name tag so that staff, other volunteers and public know you are a volunteer and have been thru training. If you are walking the dogs outside and need to wear a coat or jacket, wear the nametag on your coat or jacket so it can still be seen by everyone.
-Please remember to use the animals ID Number (the one that starts with the letter A) anytime you list them on one of the logs. This ID Number is the only way we can tell if we have the right animal. Remember, we are always moving animals up to the adoption rooms, so even if there is only one animal
with that name while you are here, we may move another one up after you leave.
A special Thank You goes out to the volunteers that have been braving the snow and negative wind chills to spend time with the dogs and cats. The dogs always need to get out for some exercise and attention, and a lot of them love to play in the snow; and the cats always love a little extra attention. Your dedication to the dogs and cats in our care is wonderful!
I hope everyone has been enjoying your volunteer time at the shelter. If you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions please let me know.
Julie Keith
Volunteer Coordinator
Champaign County Humane Society
1911 East Main Street &Mac240; Urbana, IL 61802
Julie@cuhumane.org &Mac240; www.cuhumane.org
(217) 344-9314 Phone &Mac240; (217) 344-7299 Fax