Animal Shelter Holds Volunteer Orientation
Shelter Always Welcomes New Volunteers
The Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter (GJAS) held a volunteer orientation on Saturday, Oct. 25. The orientation was well attended, and the shelter is grateful to welcome so many new volunteers from every walk of life. There is a way for all to help save the lives of the dogs and cats in care. Helping hands and compassionate hearts is how GJAS keeps this mission moving forward.
Often there are 6-7 staff members and 3-4 volunteers in the space for an 8 hour. shift, that is 72-88 hours of animal care in one shift. The love, care, proper feeding, enrichment and socialization of those in care is why GJAS does this backbreaking, sometimes heartbreaking work. Your community shelter has cared for 1,496 dogs and cats in 2025 and if you’re familiar with a “day in the life” then you have run hard and fast alongside the staff and volunteers every day.
The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday; cleaning starts at 8 a.m. GJAS is continuously at or over capacity and getting 85-100 dogs and cats, cleaned, fed, legs stretched, medicines given, surgery patients checked on and cared for, counters wiped, donations stocked, dishwashers and washer/dryer unloaded and loaded again, floors swept and mopped is a tremendous feat every morning to be ready for visitors at 10 a.m.
That said some things are missed some days. Some days returning that call is missed, responding to an email gets missed or paperwork is lost in stacks and stacks of paperwork and the whirlwind of what is only a single day in the process of caring for the unwanted, homeless, or otherwise discarded dogs and cats of Fayette County.
GJAS is a beacon of hope in the community and a second chance for so many. The shelter welcomes you to visit and get involved in whatever capacity you can. There is a way for everyone to help save these lives. We are an open admissions shelter for all: dogs, cats, and volunteers alike.
The shelter is built on compassion: the compassion of those that do the work and the compassion of those that support the work done.
The animal shelter is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for all normal operations, closed to the public on Monday with staff onsite for animal care from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Reclaims are allowed on Monday after 10 a.m. by appointment. If you believe your lost pet may be in care, please (979) 966-0021 to confirm and learn requirements for reclaim.
The adoption fee for any dog or cat is $75 and includes: spay or neuter when, ageappropriate vaccines, rabies vaccine, and a microchip: a $250-$300value.
As of Oct. 24, the total intake at the shelter is 1496: 612 dogs and 884 cats in need. There are 133 animals in care: 40 dogs and 93 cats. The shelter is always looking for dog walkers, kitten cuddlers, laundry washers, and puppy bathers. You won’t regret volunteering.
Statistics for the week of Oct. 18-24 include: Intake: 31 Adoptions: 17 Transferred to Rescue: 3 Return to Owner: 6 Humane Euthanasia: 0