Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue (SAAR) is putting out a call for volunteers to help make sure their furry residents are fed, loved, and well cared for.
Volunteer Coordinator Kyanna Brown says the rescue is looking for animal lovers who can commit to helping during either morning or evening shifts.
“Morning shifts are just checking in on the animals. They've been all night without anyone here because we don't have a full-time person staff or anything. This is all volunteer based here and they just come in and make sure all the animals are doing good. They'll do a little bit of cleanup if there's any dirty rooms.”
Brown explains that when they have dogs at the shelter, the after-hour volunteers are especially important.
“Just letting them out, going for the bathroom breaks in the mornings, and letting them play because they've been inside. I think cats are a little bit more self-sufficient, but the dogs really need to be let out to go to the washroom in the morning.”
She explains that the night shifts are similar to the morning ones.
“Except for there would have been volunteers here during the day, so the cat rooms are normally a little bit less of worry, but again, just letting the dog go out and dogs or dog go out, go for a pee, and play for a little bit before bedtime.”
In many cases, volunteering involves simply spending time with the animals.
“It's super fun,” Brown says. “Even when you're here during open hours like there is a little bit of cleaning to be done, but a lot of it is just animal interaction. So as for volunteer work, it's pretty fun and rewarding.”
Brown says her favorite part of volunteering is getting to know the animals and watching them grow more comfortable.
“As an animal lover myself, just honestly being with animals,” she says. “Just seeing the progress and just being able to know that you're helping out. I mean, there's so many animals that you could come across as strays and whatnot and just knowing that they're not strays anymore.”
She adds that the more time animals spend with volunteers, the more their personalities begin to shine.
“Sometimes we don't see really a personality other than maybe a little bit feral and shy when we first get them and then they do come out of their shell and they play and they have little zoomy times too, and it's really, really nice to see. They lounge and then they have toys all over, each room has a ton of toys.”
Brown says volunteering is incredibly rewarding, especially when animals go from scared to social, and eventually move on to their forever homes.
“These animals need help when they're on the streets or they're being rehomed or whatever it is, whatever the case. We, as of late have had a lot of feral cats come in, some of them pregnant, some of them just have brand new babies, and just being able to see them. I know we have one in our quarantine room right now, she would hiss at you, you could barely get close to her, and now she's coming up to you for love and attention whenever you go in that room.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can call 204-807-5559, email info@steinbachanimalrescue.com, or fill out an application on the SAAR website.
Brown also encourages people to visit the rescue in person during open hours to meet the animals and see if this volunteer opportunity is right for them.
“All of our volunteers would be happy to answer any questions. And then if they aren't sure, then they'll direct the questions to us, which we can answer those questions for them.”
With files from Carly Koop
@steinbach_online @Steinbach Animal Rescue is looking for volunteers! Kyanna is a volunteer coordinator for SAAR and shares why you should join their team and what you can expect! #animals #rescue #SAAR ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline