Angry Rant!

[britishbandit]

Sorry everyone, but I really need to vent right now.

I started volunteering at the Windsor/Essex County in the beginning of April. I absolute loved being there, the pound and adoption handlers are amazing people, and the animals were all great. But as the days passed of me being there, I had a few situations that have made me quite angry and upset. I was yelled at by one of the veterinarians on my second day. All I did was simply walk past the exam room with a dog that I was taking out for a walk. This is the only exit to the back TO walk the dogs. She and a few others were in there trying to do bloodwork on a Rottweiler that had come in. I was not impressed with her yelling at me. How hard is it to close a door when examining a dog?
A few weeks later, I had headed over to the pound side just to check and see what dogs were still in there, as when adoptions don't go thorough they sometimes are put back to the pound side until there is room back in adoption. Simply to look, I like to know which of the dogs have actually been adopted. I had been told on my orientation and understood that in the pound side, I was only allowed to walk dogs that had been checked over and that the pound staff had approved me to walk. I was headed off by another staff member that I had never met before. She proceeded to bitch at me, saying volunteers are not allowed in the pound area without a staff member present, and to please leave the area. That's all fine and dandy, but then why would they appoint another volunteer to give me the tour of the facility for orientation? Surely if that is a rule, the other volunteers wouldn't be allowed in there either without a staff member. She was so "nice" about it, she thought it appropriate to bitch at me without so much as telling me who she was. Only after her verbal rule book did she introduce herself.
Well, seeing as you have to PAY a small fee to volunteer there , sacrafice your OWN time, and OWN money to help these poor animals....I feel this is totally uncalled for. I think some of the staff (not all of them, some of them are great) really need to be a bit more appreciative of the free help, and maybe head back to school for some kind of human relations course.
So, already a bit peeved with the way I had been treated so early into starting this, I went in today. There had been a stray cat in my neighbourhood, and the night before I had finally given in after asking around if anyone knew who's cat it was. I gave food and water to the poor starved kitty, trimmed his claws, clipped and brushed the matted chunks and chunks of fur on his underside, and gave him a bath. He was incredible, I instantly became attached to him, and felt it best that I take him with me when I went in today to try and find him a home or so that his owner (if he had one) would be able to find him. I went in with the notion that I would mention to the humane society that if he checked out ok with the vet, I would foster him until a home was found. I already have 2 cats, and 2 dogs, but I was willing to take him in temporarily. I never got that far into the conversation. Since I was supposed to volunteer today, I had my volunteer badge on, and before heading in to walk the dogs, I went to the desk to get the paperwork done on the cat, which was in my car (I didn't want to bring him in until everything was sorted). After giving the description and getting the paperwork done, the woman said, "And that'll be ten dollars". WHAT? Ok, I know ten dollars isn't a lot, but I was completely INSULTED. After all I do for that place for free and by choice, they were going to charge me to drop off a stray? I just said, "Forget it" I'll take him home and just take care of him myself." The woman proceeded to roll her eyes at me and inform the others in the office that, "She changed her mind, because it is ten dollars". No, sorry, that wasn't the issue. So I went over to the sign in sheet which I had just signed in on, and signed right back out. I told another staff member "Well I won't be able to volunteer today now, I can't leave the cat sitting in the back of the car for a few hours".
I left there fuming, I'd had enough. I am quitting my position as a volunteer there. I no longer wish to be a part of it. I cannot believe that in a 6 weeks span, they have managed to force me out. The only reason I ever put up with any of it and kept my mouth shut, was because I truly wanted to help these animals. I feel aweful that they are the ones that will be missing out, but I cannot continue to assosciate with a place that has so little respect for me and what I do.
I had even gone as far as asking friends and family for old collars, leashes, newspaper, bedding, towels and toys that they no longer use, so I could take them to the humane society. I had also gathered up a few fundraising ideas that I was planning on mentioning to them. I'm not really sure if I want to do this or not now. I could still help out the humane society without having to deal with these ignorant people, but would I really be supporting something I believe in? Is this place really a good thing? Would the director of the humane society be pleased to hear what has been going on? Is this how he wants his staff treating volunteers? I really don't know, but I think I will be sending this messege along to him. If he disapproves of the goings on, perhaps he will make things change and I can go back to going in to help these animals. But until I am treated more appropriately, I'll be steering clear of there.

[calgal]

You really do need to report them to the supervisor and go on up the chain till this issue is resolved. NO ONE should be allowed to work around people with those attitudes. I would NEVER work for a place like that till it was cleaned out. Looks to me like they need to let go some people and put nicer ones in their places.

[BJ Bulldogs]

Wow!! that is terrible.
But I would not let this rest. I would think that if they treat a human being like that...how do they treat an animal that can't speak for itself?
I just think that there is a board meeting or board of directors or something to take this issue to.

[britishbandit]

I did write earlier today to the General Manager. I gave myself some time to calm down a bit, and wrote a sane and respectful letter, to the point, expressing my concerns. I told him that I did not want to quit my position as a volunteer, but I am uncomfortable going if the staff are going to burst out like that. There is no reason for these people to have copped attitudes the way they did. When I joined the humane society, I expected to encounter some dogs with behavioral issues, not the staff. Everyone has a bad day now and then, but 3 times already, come on. Well the letter has been sent, and hopefully I will hear something soon. Here's hoping the GM is a level headed and fair person, who understands that volunteers will be very hard to come by if this is the way they are going to be treated.

[gsp4619]

Good for you well done!

[D.Schäferhund]

Wow, that really is something.....
Good that you wrote to the superviser, I hope you hear something.
That is unbelievable....

[mrsgrubby]

I am glad you wrote the letter. I am the director of a non profit and would want to know if my staff were acting that way. Yes, we do sometimes take volunteers for granted, but we try our best to let them know how much we appreciate them and their time and energy.

I have never yelled at or "chewed out" a volunteer in 5 years as the director! What you went though is unacceptable. I hope that GM calls you to at least discuss what is going on there, but if he doesn't go higher than him, because these animals need you.

[britishbandit]

Thanks everyone. I honestly wasn't sure to start with if I was just taking this all too much to heart. Obviously after that third incident, mentally I just wanted to throw in the towel. I was set on quitting, but realized after that I really don't want to do that. After all, it isn't the staff i'm "there for". It's these animals which despite not knowing them, even having some behavioral issues, they are so easy to fall in love with. Truly incredible what these dogs go through, and still have the ability to be truly wonderful animals. It's seems just aweful to take this out on them, as the animals are the ones that lose out on me not being there, and me, I miss out on getting all of that love and affection, and the incredibly rewarding feelings.
I never expected to be put on a pedestal for doing this, I have no wish to be treated differently from any other workers simply because I volunteer, and it isn't for any personal gain other than what is given by those appreciative animals.
What bothers me is not being treated as an equal, as a co-worker. I may work for free (and believe me when I say WORK), but I don't think that classifies me as unworthy of some respect and being expendable. The feelings of which I have gotten so far.
So, I leave this in the hands of the GM. I still have not heard anything back, but I don't expect an immediate response. If I hear nothing by the end of the week, I will start looking if there is anyone further up the ladder who I can contact. If he chooses to disgard my letter without a response, then I can see why I was treated the way I have been. If the guy who runs the place doesn't care, certainly those below him don't either.

[Carrie]

Oh! What an experience. I sure wouldn't work in a place like that. How dare they charge voluteers to work there????

Well, you're a gem to want to help these dogs, but that is truly unacceptable and those people should be replaced. I hope you get a response soon from your letter.

I'm so sorry you have been treated inhumanely. It does make you wonder how some of these low lifes treat dogs.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Carrie

How dare they charge voluteers to work there???

Well they don't "actually" charge you to volunteer there, but they might as well. When you fill out the application, at the very back, it has a membership application as well, and on the forms prior, it says "We strongly encourage volunteers to become members". I had 2 friends fill out volunteer applications last year, and were decline because they did not become members and pay any money (I can see no other reason that they wouldn't have been accepted). So basically, if you don't pay, you can't volunteer. A bit of a forced issue if you ask me, granted, it is a small fee, but you have to renew the membership annualy. Some people want to volunteer because they simply cannot afford to donate money to the cause, so they wish to provide their services instead.
What you get for becoming a member, is a little card saying that you are, and are informed (by mail or email) of any upcoming fundraisers that they have. Again, to get you to go out to donate more money. Hey, if you have the money to give to the cause, I'm all for it, but don't tell me that you are of no use if you don't. These animals need walking, training and human contact just as much as their demands that require money.

[ewarp]

Originally Posted by Carrie

How dare they charge voluteers to work there????

I know my shelter has a $20 fee. We use it to cover the cost of the t-shirt, the name badge, and the manual of shelter policies and procedures that you get during volunteer training.

I kinda was confused when I started volunteering too... not only am I not getting paid, but I have to pay to do work? Seems odd. At the same time, people give more value and more thought to things they've put money into. If you're willing to drop $20 to become a volunteer, there's a much better chance that you actually want to volunteer on a regular basis.

On the other hand, British, there's no reason for you to have received that kind of treatment. That's terrible. Volunteers are such a neccessary thing in a shelter environment, and knowledgable and capable volunteers are too far and few between. They should be thanking you, or at the very least, treating you like a human.

I promise you won't be treated like that here! Come volunteer down here!

[britishbandit]

Where's down here ewarp?? LOL

We don't get t-shirts and stuff like that. Our "badges", are little pieces of paper with a plastic covering on them, names written in marker. If the fee was for a t-shirt and stuff here, because they want people to be able to tell you are a volunteer when you are there, then fine. I can understand having to pay for your own "uniform".

[ewarp]

Originally Posted by britishbandit

Where's down here ewarp?? LOL

We don't get t-shirts and stuff like that. Our "badges", are little pieces of paper with a plastic covering on them, names written in marker. If the fee was for a t-shirt and stuff here, because they want people to be able to tell you are a volunteer when you are there, then fine. I can understand having to pay for your own "uniform".

About an hour west of Chicago. I know, it's a hike for you. I might be able to scrounge up a nice big dog crate for you to crash in though!

Our badges at least have your name printed off a computer on them... plus you get stamps on your badge for each training class you complete! But yeah, the t-shirts are just so we can tell that it's a volunteer opening cages and letting animals out rather than some random person off the street.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by ewarp

About an hour west of Chicago. I know, it's a hike for you. I might be able to scrounge up a nice big dog crate for you to crash in though!

Well that's not TOO far...LOL. But I panic in confined spaces, do you at least have an x-pen?? *pant* *pant*.....hehe.

I received an email from the GM this morning, and he has stated his concern and that there are some serious issues that need to be dealt with. Which is great. BUT, the woman who was on my case about being in the pound area, is the same woman who is in charge of the volunteers. And he has asked her to contact me to discuss this. Obviously when she calls I will definatley talk to her, but talk about uncomfortable. I'm hoping she just had an off day the day she went loopy, because if I am talked to in the same manner over the phone, I am likely to "talk back". This has the potential to be very unpleasant... YIKES.

[mrsgrubby]

I am so glad that the GM contacted you.

This is what I would do. I would send the GM back an e-mail thanking him for taking the time to respond and for acknowldegeing there is a problem.

I would also mention that you are very willing to talk to the person he suggested and get to the root of the problem, but at the same time you are nervous becuase she was one of the people you had an issue with and you want to be able to have an open and honest conversation with her. That way he knows up front that you are willing to do as he asked, but already had a run-in with this gal.

Then when the lady calls you, thank her for calling and just state the facts. Don't get too personal, or take it personally, just stay calm and state what happened and what the circumstances were.

Keep us posted on this. Good luck!!