In the News: Tails of Marin
Marin Humane Society Volunteers: At the Heart of It All
By Anne Brody
According to the Corporation for National & Community Services, every year more than six million Californians volunteer 858 million hours of service in their local communities. In fact, California boasts the largest number of volunteers per state in the country!
In Marin County, nearly 800 volunteers contribute more than 107,000 hours annually to the Marin Humane Society’s programs and services. One of the Humane Society’s most important assets is our volunteers; and we’ll be celebrating their invaluable contributions during National Volunteer Week (April 27 – May 3).
National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish an annual celebration of volunteering. Every year since then, each U.S. President, along with many other elected officials, has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.
During the last several decades, the MHS volunteer roster has grown from a handful of dedicated people working at the Adoption Center to nearly 800 active adult and youth volunteers who work hard to make a difference in the lives of animals and people in our community. Along with helping to find loving homes for shelter animals, volunteers run our busy San Anselmo thrift store, assist behavior and training staff with dog training classes, provide foster care for injured and young animals, participate in education and community outreach events, collect and deliver pet food for pet meals on wheels, participate in animal-assisted therapy programs – and much more! Many of our volunteers joined us years ago, spending a couple of hours a week socializing with adoption animals, and have since been hired as staff or increased their weekly volunteer hours to 20 or more.
“At the Marin Humane Society, opportunities abound for volunteers,” says long-time Pet Pal Lisa Tarantino. “All the MHS volunteers share an enthusiasm and drive to a make a difference for the animals. There have been so many incredible success stories throughout the years and each and every single one fills my heart with gratitude that we have been there to help.”
Last month’s Operation Teacup is a great example of how MHS volunteers go the extra mile in a disaster or emergency. About 100 tiny Chihuahuas found comfort, love and new homes because of the extraordinary efforts of volunteers. Within 24 hours of receiving the call that we would be receiving dozens of scared little dogs, our volunteers came to the forefront of the action, preparing bedding, food, crates and cages and kennels to receive them. They helped check each dog from tip to toe, tucked them in for the night, and then lined up the next day to take them home to foster. The Adoption Counselors have spent long hours matching these little dogs with their new families. We could not have had such a positive and rewarding outcome if not for the commitment of our amazing volunteers.
Anne Brody is the director of volunteer services at the Marin Humane Society.
