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Independence, MO —
Cindy Marshall retired on March 3 from her job with the federal government. By March 8, the northern Lee’s Summit resident was in full swing as a volunteer at the Independence Animal Shelter.
Now Marshall spends about 30 hours a week as a shelter volunteer, helping with anything from laundry and dishes to training and walking the dogs. On Monday, the shelter participated in “Just One Day,” an effort across the United States and Canada to encourage animal shelters to pledge to not euthanize any savable animals for one day.
But Independence took that challenge a step further. With lowered adoption fees all week (reduced by $20 for cats, reduced by $30 for dogs), the shelter adopted 32 animals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday alone. By comparison, the shelter had 83 total adoptions in May. Visit www.facebook.com/paws2adopt for more information.
What have you gained from being a volunteer at the shelter so far?
Marshall: A smile on my face! (laughs) It’s just so rewarding. The dogs learn something new and just the look on their faces when they get it – you know, they learn a new trick, and they’re just so pleased with themselves. Like Grizzly – he just cracked me up when he learned “shake.” He was like, “Hurry up and ask. I know it now, I know it now!”
Why did the shelter want to take “Just One Day” and make it a weeklong initiative?
Jennifer Polston, Independence Animal Services supervisor: I think it’s important for the public to know that that’s where we want to go. We want to not have to euthanize. We want to be considered a no-kill shelter. It’s letting them know that there is a problem and we need everyone’s help. They have to step up, too, whether they’re adopting or sponsoring or posting on Facebook. It’s a community problem, and this gets them involved.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in going toward a no-kill shelter?
Polston: Spaying and neutering – absolutely getting the word out there how important it is to spay and neuter. There is low-cost assistance available, if someone needs financial help. Stopping the litters is absolutely the key.
What else is going on at the shelter with volunteer-related efforts?
Polston: We always need volunteers. Even if someone takes a picture and posts it on their Facebook page and shares that or sends it to a friend who is looking or suggests adopting from the animal shelter or suggests spaying or neutering, they are helping. Anything helps – just simply clicking “share” on a Facebook page can help.
Why would you encourage others to volunteer?
Marshall: It’s wonderful, just to know that you are improving the quality of life for a dog or a cat. They don’t get a lot of personal attention here, and I think the animals are grateful for any little bit they get. It makes them more adoptable, plus you get to learn their little personalities.
Cindy Marshall retired on March 3 from her job with the federal government. By March 8, the northern Lee’s Summit resident was in full swing as a volunteer at the Independence Animal Shelter.
Now Marshall spends about 30 hours a week as a shelter volunteer, helping with anything from laundry and dishes to training and walking the dogs. On Monday, the shelter participated in “Just One Day,” an effort across the United States and Canada to encourage animal shelters to pledge to not euthanize any savable animals for one day.
But Independence took that challenge a step further. With lowered adoption fees all week (reduced by $20 for cats, reduced by $30 for dogs), the shelter adopted 32 animals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday alone. By comparison, the shelter had 83 total adoptions in May. Visit www.facebook.com/paws2adopt for more information.
What have you gained from being a volunteer at the shelter so far?
Marshall: A smile on my face! (laughs) It’s just so rewarding. The dogs learn something new and just the look on their faces when they get it – you know, they learn a new trick, and they’re just so pleased with themselves. Like Grizzly – he just cracked me up when he learned “shake.” He was like, “Hurry up and ask. I know it now, I know it now!”
Why did the shelter want to take “Just One Day” and make it a weeklong initiative?
Jennifer Polston, Independence Animal Services supervisor: I think it’s important for the public to know that that’s where we want to go. We want to not have to euthanize. We want to be considered a no-kill shelter. It’s letting them know that there is a problem and we need everyone’s help. They have to step up, too, whether they’re adopting or sponsoring or posting on Facebook. It’s a community problem, and this gets them involved.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in going toward a no-kill shelter?
Polston: Spaying and neutering – absolutely getting the word out there how important it is to spay and neuter. There is low-cost assistance available, if someone needs financial help. Stopping the litters is absolutely the key.
What else is going on at the shelter with volunteer-related efforts?
Polston: We always need volunteers. Even if someone takes a picture and posts it on their Facebook page and shares that or sends it to a friend who is looking or suggests adopting from the animal shelter or suggests spaying or neutering, they are helping. Anything helps – just simply clicking “share” on a Facebook page can help.
Why would you encourage others to volunteer?
Marshall: It’s wonderful, just to know that you are improving the quality of life for a dog or a cat. They don’t get a lot of personal attention here, and I think the animals are grateful for any little bit they get. It makes them more adoptable, plus you get to learn their little personalities.
