A Typical Morning at the Animal Shelter

Before 8 a.m., there is a 100% chance that I and at least two of the rest of our staff have gotten a dozen text messages, a couple of emails or phone calls, Facebook messages; all about a lost or found dog or cat, a sick foster animal, or an animal or a litter to be surrendered. They could also be a confirmation on a rescue transport, a volunteer transporter we’ve been hoping to reach, a foster finally found for a litter of sick kittens, or pups getting transported in two-weeks, or a foster for a medical case. Still before 10 a.m., we’ll have fosters come in for supplies, bring in a stool sample, pick up meds, food, litter, bedding, etc. Stool samples read, treatment sheets made, more meds administered, and communication boards updated.

It’s a whirlwind from the time we get in at 8 a.m. until we leave, but that 8-10 a.m. window is a blur of activity. Every morning we have 50+ animals that sometimes can’t hold ‘it.’ Those and the ones that do all need to get out of their kennels as quickly as possible!

Currently, we have 32 dogs and 22 cats in kennel! Of course, there are protocols to follow, the unexpected always happens, so we run fast and hard for two straight hours. It’s loud, hot, sweaty (there’s no AC in the dog kennel), dirty, wet, sometimes cold, but always poop and some hungry babies! These pups and kits are as desperate for one-onone interaction as they are to get out and relieve themselves, and as soon as we finish THIS, we can do lots of THAT!

There are usually four to five staff members and before we open at 10 a.m., we make sure everyone gets out of their kennel. We clean every dog and cat kennel, sweep and mop both kennel areas, as well as the rest of the shelter (offices, reception, intake.) There is always a load of laundry to wash, fold, and put away, dishes to load and unload, over and over, all day. Often, there’s a vet appointment to be made or an appointment to attend. We stock all supplies, food, litter, water, and administer morning meds while preparing afternoon meds: heartworm treatment, de-wormer, flea and tick prevention. Everyone gets fresh food and water. We fill every outside water pail every morning and pools in the summer! Then … we clean the yards and scoop the poop in all yards.

This past Friday, in the middle of all the morning hustle and bustle, a gentleman came in with two tiny little kittens he found that needed warmth and a bottle. So, at least one of us stopped and made that happen; holding a kitten and bottle in one hand, the other getting heat ready, and a placing phone call to reach out for fosters.

Including volunteers, it sometimes takes up to 80-plus hours of work to meet one day’s requirements. We close by crossing all the t’s and dotting all the i’s: laundry, dishwasher, filling the water pails, locking all the gates, beds in the kennels and cat room, roll call with all pups and kits, and we’ll start over tomorrow.