We’re hosting a 90-minute volunteer orientation at the Westside Shelter this Saturday at 10 a.m., covering safe dog handling, low-stress cat care, and bottle-baby basics. If you’re new, this gets you trained and matched to a starter shift; if you’re returning, we’ll refresh handling skills and roll out the new feeding logs and kennel sanitation checklist. Reply if you can join or need a weekday option so we can plan trainer-to-volunteer ratios.
I can make Saturday — ‘bottle-baby basics’ is right up my alley; quick tip: warm the formula and the towel, and keep a spare burp cloth in your pocket to save your shirt. If there’s time, could we run a quick demo of leash handoffs at doorways, since that’s where most wiggles turn into rodeos.
I’m in for Saturday — > of leash handoffs at doorways, since that’s where most wiggles turn into rodeos. Agree — what’s worked for me is pre-looping the slip lead before you crack the kennel and stepping in sideways so the dog rotates with you; nervous pups do better if you toss two treats away from the threshold first.
And planning to be there; for low-stress cat moves, spritz the carrier blanket with Feliway and wait a few minutes — my shy guys step in faster, and if we’re out, a ‘worn T-shirt’ in the carrier works almost as well. Only caveat: don’t overdo the spray right before, or they balk at the strong scent.
I’ll be there for the 10 a.m. Westside session. For low-stress cat care, a swipe of Churu on a tongue depressor gets most shy cats to step into the carrier without a struggle; for the “new feeding logs”, bring a fine-tip Sharpie — , the shared pens vanish — and this weight chart helps: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/kitten-weight-chart.
Joining the 10 a.m. orientation. For bottle babies, warming the formula to “about 100–102°F” consistently gives me quick, safe latches; if you don’t have a thermometer, a wrist-check is ok — just note the method on the new feeding logs so the next shift mirrors it.