Travel Time: 50 minutes
Volunteer Time: 1 hour
Total Volunteer Time: 28 hours
Today we were down one member, but in the great spirit of community, another dedicated volunteer came to cover our loss and almost took out the entire potty list single-handedly. I'm only exaggerating slightly.
I spent most of my time with Mr. Johnny Cash who is getting a little round and I think needed the extra time out of his dorm. He's getting very strong with all the muscle he's got on him but he's still a sweet boy who likes to sit down touching you when you pet him.
I tag-teamed the tiny pair of Raymond and Little Bear, who are so adorable and tiny I'm amazed they're still here. Little Bear is a cuddler, she doesn't want to be anywhere else if she can jump into your lap and she's got hops. Raymond's a little more adventurous and will spend time off the lap exploring and he doesn't have the jumping ability Little Bear's got going on.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Blog Topic #9
My CP relies primarily on private donations. As far as I know, given that both locations are in Burlingame, money is accounted for pretty consistently and as far as I can remember both as a volunteer and as an adopter, services tend to remain consistent.
The fact that a lot of the work I am involved in and get to see is consistent, sometimes means I forget how long I've actually been at this. Every time someone asks me, I have to think about it because a lot has changed, but most day to day operations have remained the same, so it's hard for me to remember I've been at this for five years.
I think PHS services and the money for that is all in-house, I don't think we contract out others and a lot of people on the ground are volunteers. Without having as many volunteers as they do, there's no way they could do a lot of the incredible services they provide.
The fact that a lot of the work I am involved in and get to see is consistent, sometimes means I forget how long I've actually been at this. Every time someone asks me, I have to think about it because a lot has changed, but most day to day operations have remained the same, so it's hard for me to remember I've been at this for five years.
I think PHS services and the money for that is all in-house, I don't think we contract out others and a lot of people on the ground are volunteers. Without having as many volunteers as they do, there's no way they could do a lot of the incredible services they provide.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Blog Topic #8
I am obviously not privy to the budgetary decisions of PHS and as a volunteer, I do not get paid.
That being said, I grew up with two dogs and a large tank of fish. At one point, both dogs were in for surgery. So as someone who's had pets, I have a pretty good idea of how expensive they can be. A lot of PHS funds go to food, proper health care, both for the animals they are trying to adopt out or rehabilitate, and for the pets of San Mateo residents. It is so much more cost efficient to go get your animal neutered at PHS than at the vet. Our vet even said go to PHS, they do neutering and spaying all the time, he rarely did it and he couldn't charge like PHS.
PHS is really about the animals, they have the Hope program where donations go directly to animals with behavior or medical problems that would be immediately put down at other shelters. But at PHS they have the opportunity to improve and get adopted out.
I think Hallmarks 4, 5, and 6 mesh well with what my CP does.
That being said, I grew up with two dogs and a large tank of fish. At one point, both dogs were in for surgery. So as someone who's had pets, I have a pretty good idea of how expensive they can be. A lot of PHS funds go to food, proper health care, both for the animals they are trying to adopt out or rehabilitate, and for the pets of San Mateo residents. It is so much more cost efficient to go get your animal neutered at PHS than at the vet. Our vet even said go to PHS, they do neutering and spaying all the time, he rarely did it and he couldn't charge like PHS.
PHS is really about the animals, they have the Hope program where donations go directly to animals with behavior or medical problems that would be immediately put down at other shelters. But at PHS they have the opportunity to improve and get adopted out.
I think Hallmarks 4, 5, and 6 mesh well with what my CP does.
Hallmark 4: We commit ourselves to community service.
PHS is run for the benefit of San Mateo pet owners in so many different ways. It's a one stop shop for whatever a pet owner may need in both material services like spay/neuter, food, microchipping and in intangible services like pet loss support group and behavior classes.
Hallmark 5: We embrace the gift of diversity.
The Hope program along with the center mission of the shelter to adopt out all healthy animals allows animals that get put down in other shelters like pit bulls or dogs with medical conditions a chance to have a forever home.
Hallmark 6: We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
There are so many ways to get involved with PHS. You can adopt, you can volunteer, you can donate. If you were a low-risk inmate at a local prison, the TAILS program may have allowed you to care for a dog until they got adopted. People can call animal control for a dog that looks like its gotten out, that's PHS.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #12
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 27
My night started off with a manageable potty list and my gang of four ready to rock it.
My mom and I took out two big boys for sanctioned playgroup - Pongo and Danny. I got Danny who needs to have his pulling worked on but he is a very sweet, playful boy who comes immediately when called and takes his commands well. He's got a lot of energy, the exact same can be said of Pongo and though we had them out for a nice long time, I am not sure either of them were totally tired. I don't know if you can tucker either of them out completely.
My second pairing was Raymond and Little Bear. Little Bear is a girl. What struck my brother and I about them was how tiny they are. We haven't taken out dogs that little in a very long time, if ever. But they were very cute even if we were both a little worried we might accidently step on them. They were a lot of fun once we had them out and the fact that they can both fit in a teacup means that we probably won't be seeing those two sweethearts again.
The night ended with Cleo, who may be a human trapped in a dog's body because she uses her paws for everything. She's very dexterous. Last week when my brother was trying to put her leash back on her, she shoved her paws out at him, like a stiff arm in football and ducked her head onto her chest while she sat on her butt, essentially blocking my brother's ability to clip the leash to her harness. She's a smart girl.
As always, except for maybe last week, check my furry friends out: http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 27
My night started off with a manageable potty list and my gang of four ready to rock it.
My mom and I took out two big boys for sanctioned playgroup - Pongo and Danny. I got Danny who needs to have his pulling worked on but he is a very sweet, playful boy who comes immediately when called and takes his commands well. He's got a lot of energy, the exact same can be said of Pongo and though we had them out for a nice long time, I am not sure either of them were totally tired. I don't know if you can tucker either of them out completely.
My second pairing was Raymond and Little Bear. Little Bear is a girl. What struck my brother and I about them was how tiny they are. We haven't taken out dogs that little in a very long time, if ever. But they were very cute even if we were both a little worried we might accidently step on them. They were a lot of fun once we had them out and the fact that they can both fit in a teacup means that we probably won't be seeing those two sweethearts again.
The night ended with Cleo, who may be a human trapped in a dog's body because she uses her paws for everything. She's very dexterous. Last week when my brother was trying to put her leash back on her, she shoved her paws out at him, like a stiff arm in football and ducked her head onto her chest while she sat on her butt, essentially blocking my brother's ability to clip the leash to her harness. She's a smart girl.
As always, except for maybe last week, check my furry friends out: http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Friday, April 1, 2016
Time Sheet Entry # 11
Super Pongo Special!
Total Time: 8.5 hours
I almost forgot to add the time the last two Saturdays we've brought Pongo to our house for home visits/ see how he behaves outside of a shelter environment. The first time we worked on couch guarding and he responded well to discipline but he tried his hardest to get on the couch and he was very creative in his attempts. A popular one was pushing his toy further and further back so that he 'obviously' just had to jump up in order to retrieve it.
The second visit allowed him on the couch, but where he promptly took a nap. FYI, he snores and he only rests comfortably when he's touching you. He will literally use his paw to draw your hand back near his head if you've gone away for no good reason.
Total Time: 8.5 hours
I almost forgot to add the time the last two Saturdays we've brought Pongo to our house for home visits/ see how he behaves outside of a shelter environment. The first time we worked on couch guarding and he responded well to discipline but he tried his hardest to get on the couch and he was very creative in his attempts. A popular one was pushing his toy further and further back so that he 'obviously' just had to jump up in order to retrieve it.
The second visit allowed him on the couch, but where he promptly took a nap. FYI, he snores and he only rests comfortably when he's touching you. He will literally use his paw to draw your hand back near his head if you've gone away for no good reason.
Time Sheet Entry #10
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 1.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 18.5 hours
Today was another short night and I ended up only walking Cash and spending most of my time in the dog park with the rest of the reds hanging with the big dogs that needed to go out.
A pair took Pongo and Danny, who were cleared to play together and they were adorable in the yard. They have a bromance.
Our night was finished with Elsa, who did zoomies around the yard and was quite exciting to watch. She manages very tight turns for a girl her size
Volunteer Hours: 1.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 18.5 hours
Today was another short night and I ended up only walking Cash and spending most of my time in the dog park with the rest of the reds hanging with the big dogs that needed to go out.
A pair took Pongo and Danny, who were cleared to play together and they were adorable in the yard. They have a bromance.
Our night was finished with Elsa, who did zoomies around the yard and was quite exciting to watch. She manages very tight turns for a girl her size
Friday, March 25, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #9
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 1.5
Total Volunteer Hours: 17
This was one of the shortest times I've been at the shelter. We were really lucky in having a short potty list, made shorter by RAMBO GETTING ADOPTED!!!! It's very exciting when one of the favorites gets a forever home.
My first friend was (Johnny) Cash who was wonderful as usual. He likes to snuggle and I even got a few little kisses from him.
We have a new dog this week, Beowulf, who my partner in crime says we could ride into battle. He's a big boy, about waist high on all fours, but he's a sweetie. He isn't even up on the website yet and given that he's a ginormous, calm, sweet shepherd mix, I don't think we will be seeing him next week.
We also got to check out a play group (where two or three dogs from different dorms under the Behavior Department's supervision get to hang in the Dog Park) of Pongo, Maggie and Gordo. Pongo, a Dalmatian naturally, hung out with us last Saturday and he was unusually calm and well-behaved in the Dog Park. He has become attached to my mother and is not acting like the amped boy in need of lots of exercise he came in as. Which is fantastic and he was so easy and calm in the park. It was a little crazy.
We ended the night with Elsa who was not interested in tennis balls at all.
Volunteer Hours: 1.5
Total Volunteer Hours: 17
This was one of the shortest times I've been at the shelter. We were really lucky in having a short potty list, made shorter by RAMBO GETTING ADOPTED!!!! It's very exciting when one of the favorites gets a forever home.
My first friend was (Johnny) Cash who was wonderful as usual. He likes to snuggle and I even got a few little kisses from him.
We have a new dog this week, Beowulf, who my partner in crime says we could ride into battle. He's a big boy, about waist high on all fours, but he's a sweetie. He isn't even up on the website yet and given that he's a ginormous, calm, sweet shepherd mix, I don't think we will be seeing him next week.
We also got to check out a play group (where two or three dogs from different dorms under the Behavior Department's supervision get to hang in the Dog Park) of Pongo, Maggie and Gordo. Pongo, a Dalmatian naturally, hung out with us last Saturday and he was unusually calm and well-behaved in the Dog Park. He has become attached to my mother and is not acting like the amped boy in need of lots of exercise he came in as. Which is fantastic and he was so easy and calm in the park. It was a little crazy.
We ended the night with Elsa who was not interested in tennis balls at all.
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