We met with Keyonna Washington (KW) to go over her Day of Giving experience at a local shelter in her community.
AC: What organization or local cause did you volunteer for?
KW: I volunteered at the local Humane Society in Louisiana.
AC: Can you please provide an overview of their mission?
KW: The Local Humane Society’s mission is to help families reunite with lost pets, care for strays and help match fur babies to their forever families.
AC: Was this your first time volunteering for this organization or cause? Please elaborate.
KW: No, this was the second time I volunteered at this shelter.
AC: Were there any requirements for this type of volunteerism?
KW: You sign up two weeks in advance, be on time, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. The shelter depends on volunteers, and it’s essential to be reliable.
AC: Why did you choose to volunteer here for your Day of Giving?
KW: I chose to volunteer at the local Humane Society as I love animals, especially dogs.
AC: Can you tell us about your volunteer experience? What did you do? Did your time volunteering meet your expectations?
KW: To start the day, first, we moved the dogs section by section so we could clean all the kennels. Then, we moved to the backyard to clean out the gutters and spray down the sidewalk. Then we got to bathe the new puppies to prepare them for intake. They were the absolute cutest. It was so sad hearing some of their stories, and I almost left with another puppy! After all the animals and their rooms were cleaned, we walked around each kennel, played with them, and gave them treats. I enjoyed this experience and look forward to doing it again.
AC: What would you like to share to encourage others to volunteer their time and energy locally?
KW: I would encourage others to get active in their community. There’s nothing like going home at the end of the day knowing you’ve done some good.
AC: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?
KW: If you are considering getting a dog, volunteer at a shelter first. There are a lot of families who get puppies for a holiday gift, and many end up in a shelter. Make sure you and your family can accommodate a fur baby for their lifetime, and volunteering can help make that decision based on first-hand experience of caring for these animals.