SUMMER 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...

c o v e r s t o r y
Last month we celebrated “National Volunteer Appreciation Week,” but our admiration for
this dedicated group of individual goes far beyond this short time span as does the effects
of their work. An old Greek proverb says, “a civilization flourishes when people plant trees
under which they will never sit.” This is the definition of the goodwill that is shown at the San
Diego Humane Society and SPCA everyday. Without fail, seven days a week volunteers show up at our
campus to make an investment. They invest their most precious asset: their time and energy helping
animals that are not their own.
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”– Margaret Mead
Not only does the Humane Society
rely on the financial generosity of our
community, we also depend on the people
who volunteer their time to help animals.
Volunteers assist with virtually every
aspect of our organization from direct
animal care to helping with customer
service. We simply could not accomplish
what we do without the dedication
and hard work of this valued group of
individuals.
“There are only 24 hours in a day. We
can always make more money, buy more
material objects, but the one thing that
none of us can do is make more time.
That is a fixed principle,” said Dr. Mark
Goldstein, Humane Society President.
“So, when I see an individual coming to
help us and the animals, I am grateful
and filled with admiration because they
are giving to us their most valuable,
most cherished resource.”
In the last fiscal year, our volunteers
gave 52,693 hours of their time. That
equates to 6,586 eight-hour workdays,
which would take one individual over 25
years to complete!
In addition to the sheer quantity of
time our volunteers donate, they bring
quality to what they do as well. Before
becoming a Humane Society volunteer,
AnimalFare • Summer 2006
individuals attend a volunteer orientation
in addition to specific trainings
depending on what area they volunteer
in and the skills needed. For example,
Dog Walkers and Cat Buddies will
attend at least five hours of classes
on animal care, while volunteers in
the Humane Society’s Animal Rescue
Reserve must complete six months of
training, including special certifications,
prior to responding to an emergency.
By training our volunteers, we help them
to deliver quality care while ensuring the
safety and well being of both the
volunteers and the animals. Regardless of
their type of work, one thing that unites
volunteers is their love and dedication to
helping animals and our community.
When many volunteers first come
to the Humane Society, it is simply
with the intention of wanting to help
the animals. After they go through
orientation and training they realize
that “helping animals” is a lot more
than petting and playing with them.
It also includes everything from positive
reinforcement training, to doing laundry,
to greeting visitors and to working
(continued on page 6)
Pet-Assisted Therapy program volunteer Linda Tendler shares the joy of animals with
a convalescent resident.
Photo: Rick Eaton, Star News