Winter is one of the worst times to be an adoptable dog. Many “Christmas puppies” given as gifts during the holiday season end up in shelters or abandoned later in life. Four to six months after the holidays, shelters face another boom of intakes as those once cute and cuddly puppies become larger and more frustrating.
Shelters nationwide have been posting on social media asking for help; one South Carolina shelter stated they’d run out of room for new intakes altogether. During these cold months, it can be a pain just to walk our own dogs, let alone walk anyone else’s. But unfortunately, the chill of winter scares off volunteers for dog walking, just when the dogs need it the most.
Kentucky Shelter Pleas for Help
The Daviess County Animal Shelter in Kentucky realized this winter that staff and current volunteers were in over their heads. With only five to six frequent dog walkers, dogs sometimes languish in their kennels without stimulation. And as most know, it’s harder for an understimulated dog to get adopted.
When bored, a normally well-mannered pup may display concerning behaviors like barking, jumping, or destructive chewing.
“To me, this is like dog jail, except they didn’t do anything to get here, so I feel like we owe it to them to give them walks,” said Deborah Board, a longtime volunteer known affectionately as ‘Granny’ around the shelter. “Plus, you get more than you give. You can love on the dogs, but they’ll love on you way more than you love on them.”
The shelter is able to offer service hours to volunteers willing to help out routinely.
Helping Dogs Through Any Season
Volunteering with shelter animals is one of the most important services you can offer animals in need in your community. Regardless of location, consider volunteering on a weekly basis with your local shelter or rescue. Don’t have the time or energy? Most shelters also have a wish list available online. It doesn’t have to be a large gift — most shelters need the essentials, like paper towels! Some shelters even accept lightly used items, like collars or beds.
Ready to go above and beyond? Ask about becoming a dog foster parent to keep more pets out of the shelter.
