Volunteer!

On Monday, our new Volunteer Manager, Jennifer Haraburda, started working for the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. We are very excited that Jennifer has joined our team. Jennifer brings great energy and expertise to her new position with a history of running the volunteer program at the Animal Protective Foundation.
You may wonder what Jennifer will be working on, why the new volunteer manager? In the past volunteers were managed by another staff member who had a host of other responsibilities. While our number of volunteers and their programs grew it became clear that this was not a part time job. By shifting around some job responsibilities, we were able add this new full time position without adding any expenses.

Volunteers are essential to our success. Every minute that a volunteer dedicates to the Society helps to save another animal's life. Really? You ask... Yes really. Let's just take one program, our foster care volunteers. Last year over 950 animals were cared for in volunteer foster homes. Most of those animals were kittens that were too young to be adopted, but there were also many animals that were recovering from illness or injuries. It is extremely difficult to care for animals like these in the shelter so without volunteers those animals may not have survived.

Our two satellite adoption centers are 100% volunteer staffed. 7 days a week, 365 days a year, animals in the Petsmarts in Latham and Glenmont are cared for by volunteers. It takes about 45 volunteers at each site to keep those centers running and keep adoptions going. Last year over 550 animals were adopted from the two satelite adoption centers. Those adoptions would not have been possible without volunteers.

The list goes on endlessly, volunteers hlep to feed animals, clean kennels, excersie dogs, care for cats, rabbits and other animals. Our volunteers often spend weekends at community events promoting the society and letting people know about our programs. They stuff envelopes, do office work, serve on our board, repair our plumbing, and so much more.

So if you have some time on your hands, come by and meet Jennifer, or check our website for the latest volunteer opportunites