What advice would you give someone entering the animal sheltering field?

When we asked that question for our “Coffee Break” department, you flooded our inboxes with responses. We received so much feedback that only a fraction would fit into the magazine!

Here are some more of your answers:

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No. 1 rule: Never lose sight of why you got into this field and why you love your job. No. 2: Treat people the way you want to be treated. Never lose your cool, and always be compassionate.
—Jane Schramm, Adoption Counselor, Cheboygan County Humane Society, Cheboygan, Michigan

The most challenging but liberating thing a new animal welfare professional can do is to accept that a majority of the people who need help with animal issues will be from a different socioeconomic background or a different culture. Give these people what they need to make the right decisions for their pets—don't judge them. Breaking the cycle of cruelty and ignorance can only be done if these people are approached with compassion and understanding.
—Niki Dawson, President, Animal Welfare Federation of New Jersey, Bridgewater, New Jersey

Be open-minded, and always keep the bigger picture in mind. I love to see idealistic newcomers bring passion and new ideas to our shelter. I am heartbroken to see them feel so at odds with shelter policies that they end up disillusioned with the whole field. Those who stay in sheltering for a long time are still idealistic underneath, but we have had to face euthanasia, animal abuse cases, and other unpleasant aspects of the job. Sometimes there are gray areas and hard decisions. We all have the same goals. If you encounter policies that don’t mesh with your ideals, ask questions, try to see all points of view, and offer suggestions for improvement. We want to keep people like you! Don’t let small stuff get in the way of the great work we can do together!
—Karen Eckhoff, RVT, San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, San Diego, California

I would tell them to volunteer at an established rescue group or shelter and learn everything you can. Pick the brains of volunteers and board members. Network with other groups, too. See what paperwork is needed in your state and what you will need to do to start a 501(c)(3). Also, find out the codes in your area about starting up a business like this. Join online forums and Yahoo groups that support rescue, too, and learn from them.
—Sarita Rossi, Board Member, North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary, Dallas, Texas

My advice would be to be prepared to cry. Not a day goes by that we do not cry at the shelter—either tears of sadness for the animals that have been abused and neglected, or tears of happiness for those that find a new home.
—Mary Kelly, Director of Operations, Tompkins County SPCA, Ithaca, New York

I must say that it is hard not to pass judgment on people that surrender their pets and abuse pets, but if you are going to be fair and impartial, you must. Things are not always what they appear to be. You must keep an open mind to be successful and to be respected. You must remember that you choose to do this type of work for the animals and secondarily for the people. If we take time to educate the people, in the long run it is best for all the animals. I started in the late ’70s and am still in it. If you keep perspective, you will not burn out. Good luck and welcome to the team.
—Victoria Murphy, Program Manager/Officer, Edgewood Animal Control, Edgewood, New Mexico

It takes a strong heart and a strong mind ... but it's the most rewarding, life-altering line of work you could ever hope to enter. Anyone who goes into it expecting nothing more than a paycheck ... anyone who thinks, “It's just a job,” ... well, that's just impossible. Try it. You'll see.
—Debbie Hogan, Kennel Attendant, East Bay SPCA, Hayward, California

I will suggest that anyone coming into the field of sheltering or rescue always have a clean, calm, and attractive area for potential adopters to interact with their chosen animal friend. This is vital. I have seen shelters that were very smelly and had nowhere for people to interact with the animals other than the caged area, and that is not usually very pleasing to the senses.
—Marie Belanger, Regional Coordinator, Dogs Deserve Better. Marion, Indiana