Melissa Gunby
“I love volunteering because I get to spend time with animals that I love but that I don’t have the time or space to raise. Getting to help socialize them and get them ready for forever homes makes me feel productive and as a bonus, I get cuddles!
Back in the before covid times, we did the bunny yoga events. I was coming in 3-4 times a week to use the playroom and help socialize the bunnies. This was in the fall of 2019, maybe, and we had several long term residents of the small animal rooms. I helped set up for yoga, and we were early, letting the buns and guinea pigs have time to roam the room and get comfortable with each other. I sat on the floor to supervise, and all the animals we’d brought in willingly came up to me looking for pets and treats. I’d been spending enough time with them in the playroom that they recognized me as safe, and that was a great moment.
I encourage others to volunteer because I think it’s a great experience. Whether working at the shelter to build litter boxes (again, in the BC times), or helping with events (off site adoptions, the gala fundraisers), or helping at the clinic, it’s super easy to see how much giving some time really makes a difference, not only for the animals, but for the staff who keep the shelter up and running. It’s also been a great way for me to meet people who aren’t “work friends,” while giving back to my community.”