Buddy Foundation Pet shelter seeking volunteers
Do you enjoy sleeping in till 8, 9 or 10 a.m. on your days off? Are you a recent retiree who relishes the thought of never setting a morning alarm? Well, forget those foolish notions, because I am here to super-guilt those thoughts away.
The bottom line is that The Buddy Foundation is in dire need of morning volunteers between 7:30-11 a.m., especially on Saturdays. Why, Saturdays? This is a busy adoption day and a complex cleaning day to accomplish everything we let slide during the week.
We strive to keep our shelter clean and healthy. That unfortunately means bleach and sanitizers - those are our best aids to accomplish this goal. Thoughts of a commercial praising Clorox comes to mind here. We cannot clean with spring bling at an animal shelter and expect a good result.
Just think of the animals waiting for homes that would not get one if the public and health department said our shelter was dirty or smelly. Those of you know that is not the case if you have visited us. In fact, everyone is surprised how clean and beautiful it is. The reality is, it does not get that way and stay that way on fairy dust or with elf help. It stays that way with the hard work of volunteers that strive to make a difference and a true impact on the animal shelter world at Buddy.
Our volunteers are the difference between a cold reality and loving warmth. This is true because, as you know, our animals are all someone's throwaways.
Lately, Buddy seems to be most in need of volunteers on the feline side. Felines are not walked like dogs and the scooping of litter boxes seems to be endless.
If you have been thinking about volunteering, the need is urgent. Stop by and visit us. If you know someone who wants to do community service for education credits or if you know someone that has a mandated community service, send them our way. The need has never been so great. Cleaning is the best methodology to keep a shelter free of illness and germs. Cleaning also streamlines expenses. Cleaning supplies are certainly less expensive than medications to thwart illness.
All we ask is that you might donate two or three hours, whatever you can, to assist us in keeping the feline side clean. I promise you, our felines that are supercharged friendly will help you clean by interrupting you with meows, purrs and a few trip-ups between the legs. Cleaning will also involve chasing the resident escape artists with a can of tuna to get them back into their room. What's wrong with that scenario?
Yes, we are rewarding bad behavior, because that is all these felines have until they find their forever homes. If we indulge the animals in our care, it is well deserved, given their horrible journey until they found sanctuary at Buddy.
If you are worried that you may not know your way around a multi-feline environment, we will always have someone on had to train you and then assist you as you become part of the Buddy family of caretakers or caregivers.
If you choose to help us, the rewards will be great as you get to know all the feline personalities and mannerisms. I promise you, you will enjoy the experience of giving back. However, I cannot promise you that you will not want to take home one of these gentle souls.
Thank you in advance if you are joining our cause and volunteering for Buddy's animals. Thank you is such a short word that expresses so much. Buddy extra THANKS the volunteers that already tirelessly help us. We acknowledge the volunteers that give so much they sometimes miss events they want to attend. Every volunteer makes a huge difference in a homeless animal's life. Thank you! Thank you!
Upcoming:
• Join Buddy on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Chandlers Chophouse in Schaumburg for our 23rd Birthday Bash and St. Patrick's Day celebration. Your donation of $30 in advance; $35 at the door, includes a delicious buffet and two drink tickets. Proceeds benefit Buddy's animals. For information, visit thebuddyfoundationorg or call (847) 290-5806.
The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a volunteer nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. For information visit thebuddyfoundation.org or call (847) 290-5806.