Volunteers Meet and Beat a Challenge that Benefits the Shelter Pets

Who are some of the best and most dedicated volunteers in the nation? Arlington Animal Services (AAS) Center Volunteers! This enthusiastic group of animal loving citizens is willing to go the extra mile, especially when met with a challenge.

The City of Arlington Workforce Services department offered a challenge to AAS Volunteers to increase the number of hours spent volunteering. This extraordinary team took the challenge very seriously! During the month of July 2012, AAS Volunteers more than doubled the amount of hours worked over the previous July.

To say they enthusiastically and unselfishly gave of their time and service to help the shelter is an understatement. These devoted animal lovers gave a total of 1,893 hours in July. That's like having almost eleven additional full-time employees. "Our staff and our pets are just overjoyed to have this kind of support," said Chris Huff, Arlington Animal Services Manager. "Our volunteers play a huge role in the success of the work we do here every day. We couldn't do it without them."
The PetSmart® volunteers' including the "Pretty Pooch Team" are committed to arriving early and grooming pets so that they attend mobile adoption events clean, and dapper in hopes of finding new "forever" homes.

Golden PAWS (people are willing and sharing) are a talented group of senior volunteers that create handcrafted items as gifts for the shelter pets, and to generate donations for their prized handiwork to help support the needs of the shelter animals.

Friends of Arlington Animal Services (FAAS) and Partners of Arlington Animal Services (PAAS) work hard dedicating time as AAS Volunteers and are especially passionate about saving animals' lives utilizing social media and email networks.

Pet photographers and writers of biographies for the featured "Pets of the Week" and "Golden PAWS Pet of the Month" website posts work diligently to provide insight into each showcased pet's personality while giving these dogs' and cats' additional advertising to help them find just the right person or family to provide them a home.

In recognition of their hard work and dedication, The City of Arlington's Workforce Services department and AAS staff recently hosted an informal get-together to celebrate with volunteers.

Earlier this fiscal year, a plaque was dedicated in honor of the late Bill McCart, for his 22 years of exemplary, dedicated service to the city and its residents, to AAS and the homeless animals in our community.

"This is just one way to show appreciation for our amazing volunteers," said Huff. "A day like this lets them know their hard work is valued. From the unfolding of newspapers, to helping with laundry, to providing affection for the homeless animals, and that all volunteers are greatly appreciated."

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By Carol Weemes