They kicked me out of the shelter...

It's probably nothing about you personally, I bet I can sum it up in one word - Insurance. Their employees will be covered by insurance so that if anything happens to one of them (slipping on a wet floor, being bitten and needing medical treatment etc.), the insurance company will pay out in the event of any legal proceedings. I think it's simply that as you're not an employee, the insurance won't include you and if something happened to you it would not be covered.

I know it's no consolation to you, but I doubt very much that they have anything against you as a person, or against the love that you showed the cats there. I hope they all find good homes

I'm so sorry to hear about this! What an awful thing for them to ask you to leave. Thank you for spending time with the kitties and for doing what you can for them.

Sorry to hear about how you were treated. I have a suggestion. First, it seems as though you've been polite and friendly regardless of how youâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been treated. I'd continue because you don't want to burn any bridges. Then, since it is a government entity, find out the hierarchy as to who answers to whom. Then you could find out who would be the most appropriate person or persons to produce a short proposal for stating what you are willing to voluntarily do for them. In your proposal you could tell them what you could do to increase the potential adopters at no cost (or minimal cost) to them. And how you could help nurture and socialize the kittens/cats so that they are adoptable.

Your post was so eloquent and heart felt that it moved many of us. So maybe you could also mention your passion for these animals and this is why you feel so compelled to provide your help and assistance. Just a suggestion.

I think the reason is probably the insurance risk (you did say you are clumsy) and maybe several hours at a time is too much every day? Instead of writing a letter, you could go and ask to see the man who threw you out. You could again offer your services to "socialize" the animals, and ask him to suggest the amount of time and days. Maybe you could ask him to give you a part time job cleaning out the cages. Tell him how much it means to you to be able to help the kitties, and you will adhere to whatever criteria he puts forward. If he refuses, you can ask him why, and you don't have to be afraid to get teary eyed. After all, you have feelings and maybe he should understand that. Just because they don't have a volunteer program, doesn't mean they can't start one. You could also agree to sign a waiver releasing them of any liability, should you slip on some cat poop and hurt your back. If you can't help there, I am sure you will find another place to donate your services. Good Luck!

Callista, I know your a college student,, but seriously have you thought about adopting one or two of them.. As much time as you spent at the shelter,, I'm sure you have enough time to play with them and give love to them.

They aren't that expensive, as long as they get their shots and are already spayed.. You'd just have to buy them food,, and a bag of food, even the cheaper stuff is like $3 or $4 bucks tops, and with two cats,, it's take a least 2 to 4 weeks.. So your thinking $8 bucks a month for cat food, and then litter...

It's just a thought... At least you'd be taking two beauties out of a not so wonderful situation!

Callista: I work in a Public Library. While we have a volunteer program, the volunteers are only GRUDGINGLY accepted at times by staff. The staff feels the volunteers "take" their jobs - since we had a hiring freeze and a RIF a while back this has made folks more protective of "their" jobs... even though we point out that use of volunteers means we need more monies and people and can use it to aruge that effectively to our board, PLUS it generates good will in the community. PLEASE do NOT give up trying to get a volunteer program going!!

Consider going to the county offices the people ABOVE the shelter director. Detail what you want to create/do. Write story and have OTHER people place in the local paper for you, pitch story to radio talk shows and radio
"local" programs. If you have a local cable access station, go there. ...consider getting an elementary school or church group involved in visiting the animals and helping out and have THEM ask...keep at it, hit them from ALL sides!!

but for the love of God, and the animals DO NOT give up.

I live in a very rich county and our animal control dept SUCKS. We had Parvo in the shelter recently... and we were adopting katrina animals while we were PTSing our own local animals. We have no TRN or low cost spay netuer going on there. Recenently we've begun to change things, but ONLY through concert many years effort of keeping pressure up on the animal shelter and animal control...

It will ONLY change when we advocate forcefully for change and get grass roots stuff going.

My hat is OFF to you, and I think you're a WONDERFUL person. Please don't take it personally! Its not about you, it about them and their own insecurities and politics...

Originally Posted by opilot

PLEASE do NOT give up trying to get a volunteer program going!!

but for the love of God, and the animals DO NOT give up.

It will ONLY change when we advocate forcefully for change and get grass roots stuff going.

My hat is OFF to you, and I think you're a WONDERFUL person. Please don't take it personally! Its not about you, it about them and their own insecurities and politics...

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Well said, OPilot
Callista, if you do meet with anybody at the shelter, or with a county commissioner, please try to have an advocate with you. Maybe someone from the local vet hospital or from a nearby AlleyCat Allies program. In my experience, it is advisable to have a 3rd person present at meetings - not to be intimidating, but for moral support for you and also to clarify situations that may arise later. My husband is an attorney, and if the clients dont have an advocate, they often like me to join in the initial meetings. Sometimes I go to other meetings with them, such as with social services, etc. because after raising a brain-damaged daughter, i've grown used to going to meetings (I'm not there in any official capacity, just moral support). You've been given a great heart - I am praying that you are given the opportunities to use it to the fullest (By the way, i really love your post here "My Shelter Kitties" - when you seek your advocate, maybe you could print a copy of it & show it to them)

Please keep us informed of anything new in your attempts to help the animals at your local shelter.

gailuvscats;1349018 said:

Instead of writing a letter, you could go and ask to see the man who threw you out. QUOTE]

Also, I'd suggest that you be careful if you decide to return back to the shelter. Especially after that man expressed his desire for you to leave. Whether you write a letter, proposal, phone call, etc., that might be the best first approach before you return. You don't want to seem overly agressive and burn any bridges. Ultimately you want to work with these people at this location.

Another poster made a good point when they mentioned that sometimes people might be uncomfortable about their jobs when it comes to volunteers. So even if it isn't legitimate for them to feel that way, you don't want to seem threatening. Your ultimate goal is to help the animals.

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Originally Posted by angelkitty

Callista, I know your a college student,, but seriously have you thought about adopting one or two of them.. As much time as you spent at the shelter,, I'm sure you have enough time to play with them and give love to them.

They aren't that expensive, as long as they get their shots and are already spayed.. You'd just have to buy them food,, and a bag of food, even the cheaper stuff is like $3 or $4 bucks tops, and with two cats,, it's take a least 2 to 4 weeks.. So your thinking $8 bucks a month for cat food, and then litter...

It's just a thought... At least you'd be taking two beauties out of a not so wonderful situation!

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Oh how I wish I could...

I share a house with three girls. One is very allergic to cats, and dislikes cats in general. The three girls own three dogs, one of whom is a wolf/german shepherd hybrid and another of whom is a hound of the sort that hunts small (cat-sized) animals... the landlord does not want any more animals, and my housemates would insist I take the cats right back where I found them.

Well keep trying

college does not last for ever.and it wont be long until you are out and able to have a couple of cats at home. also look for some different people to room with.

Originally Posted by Callista

Oh how I wish I could...

I share a house with three girls. One is very allergic to cats, and dislikes cats in general. The three girls own three dogs, one of whom is a wolf/german shepherd hybrid and another of whom is a hound of the sort that hunts small (cat-sized) animals... the landlord does not want any more animals, and my housemates would insist I take the cats right back where I found them.

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There are other ways to help that do not require a car or even being at the shelter...you can cerate a website to highlight the plight of homeless animals. You can even create a website where people can post cats and dogs that need homes in your community (just make sure that they are spayed/neutered).

Katie

Are there any updates?

Excellent ideas TNR1. Having a website would resolve the transportation, shelter staff and roommate issue. There might be an organization with a site already that could use your help or starting your own could be very exciting.

Originally Posted by siameseohio

Are there any updates?

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Yes, updates, PLEASE!!!

I'm afraid there are no updates... I'm not so emotionally involved anymore now, though; so I'm going to write that letter today. I have less of a chance of offending someone now that I'm no longer fuming... I'll post it here for approval, just in case. I don't know how to deal with bureaucracy; you folks have experience. I'm getting some sleep first, though; it's 7 a.m. here and I've had insomnia all night (wish me luck!).

I am also trying to locate a no-kill shelter called "The 10th Life", which apparently is located somewhere near Xenia--possibly close enough that I might find someone going my way and get a ride, or even close enough to ride out and back as a sort of "day trip" (which I can do if it's 10 miles or less). But so far, I've been unable to track it down; the only mention of it I heard was overhearing a shelter employee saying that people from that place had come and taken a few cats. I'm hoping it's a.) a legit shelter and b.) willing to take volunteers...

Callista,,

You have to read this!!!!
http://www.compassionatekids.com/ohio/event-feb05.html

It talks about the 10th Life Cat Rescue.. They are hiding the address becuase they have over 400 cats on site,, and people keep dropping them off!!! So they don't want that to happen, but you can email these people to get the address.. Ohhh I'm soo sure they need help with that many cats!!!

I hope it helps.. When you find out let me know.. Maybe I can talk my husband into going and adopting a cat or two?? Maybe a website to find good home for them.. You could help take pictures and post them!! GOOD LUCK.. KEEP ME UPDATED!!!!

HEATHER

Here's the letter. If anyone can help me edit this to make sure this is going to actually get an answer, rather than either offending people or being ignored, I'd appreciate it.

[heading]

Dear Sirs:

A short time ago, I went to your animal shelter asking for volunteer work. I was told that while you did not have a volunteer program, people were allowed to visit the animals.

Over the next few weeks, I came to the shelter and spent time with your cats, one to three times per week and about three or four hours at a time. My goals were to give the cats human contact so that they might have a better chance of being adopted and staying adopted.

However, last Monday (September 18), I was asked to leave. The reason given was that I was not a volunteer or a worker and could not spend so much time with the animals; and that, since there was no volunteer program, you could not accept me as a volunteer.

I do not understand why, if visitors are allowed, I could not visit the animals. I would like a full explanation of why I was asked to leave your shelter.

I would also appreciate an explanation for the absence of a volunteer program.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

[my name]

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Oh, yes, Angelkitty: Thanks! What an obscure reference... talk about board magic. I'm going to e-mail them.

Or maybe you could see if there's feral colonies around that need taking care of? Or how to get involved in that sort of thing if there's a bunch of ferals around who could do better with a kind soul to look after them?

Can I get some comments on that letter before I send it? It's at the bottom of page three, in a quote box...

Hello Callista,

Did you send it yet? It seems to me that you are concentrating on what happened in the past instead of suggesting what you could do for them in the future and your passion for animals. Asking for an explanation might make them defensive. What I'd suggest is you get your thoughts together on what you can do for them and how it would be a benefit to them and the animals. Be specific. Although it would be in letter form, it would still be a proposal of sorts. I'm on my way out the door, if you'd like some help with it, you can PM me. Then your final product you could post to maybe get others remarks. Don't be in a rush to do it. If you are going to take this route, you want to do it right to get the desired results.

I haven't sent it yet... I'm just not sure what I can offer to get them to let volunteers in. I'm young, I haven't even got a decent job or a college degree yet, and I don't have a driver's license, a car, or any significant amount of money... nobody knows me, I'm not a good leader...

All I've got on my side is a willigness to scoop cat boxes. And anybody can do that.

Sorry--feeling a bit discouraged right now. It'll pass.