The City of Dallas is calling on volunteers and animal lovers to step up to the plate as Dallas Animal Services (DAS) gears up for several community-focused initiatives. In their latest volunteer newsletter, the agency outlined several events and projects aimed at helping their shelter animals find forever homes. Among the highlights is a photo challenge that invites participants to capture the playful spirits of pets in motion. Submissions must be tagged with the animal's A Number and are due by September 7, according to the City of Dallas.
The recently launched D90 MVP Facebook group is another important step toward providing additional support for the shelter's Most Vulnerable Pets (MVPs). Anchoring themselves firmly in the digital space, they aim to quickly disseminate information directly from the shelter about pets that are at risk of euthanasia. The focus on social media exposure is intended to not only foster community engagement but also to help save lives, with updates on volunteer positions expected in the coming weeks.
On the ground, DAS has announced a "Clear the Shelters" event for September 7th, to secure 150 adoptions in a single day. To pull this off, they're recruiting 16 volunteers for various tasks such as facilitating meet-and-greets between pets and potential adopters. For those not already trained in canine handling, the shelter will provide quick pre-shift training sessions to ensure volunteers are prepared to assist.
For those with a knack for photography, FURtography shifts offer a chance to truly showcase the animals. Starting in September, shifts will be available every hour from 12 PM to 6 PM, allowing volunteers to more easily fit this opportunity into busy schedules. Volunteers can freely use the FURtography binder located off the adoption lobby to guide their photo sessions without needing to check in with staff members.
Continued support for the BeDallas90 mission, a commitment to maintain a 90% Live Release Rate, includes an upcoming Trello training session tomorrow. This platform is critical for the Rescue team to update dog information, locations, and photos, helping rescue partners identify and choose animals in need.
Highlighting the importance of community efforts, the newsletter spotlights the success of the Daycation program, which has led to numerous positive outcomes, including adoptions and fostering opportunities. The initiative is beneficial for showcasing the dogs' personalities in a setting outside of the shelter. The City of Dallas newsletter includes a statement on the program: "We’re thrilled to announce that our Daycation program is thriving! Here is a breakdown of the outcomes from daycations: Adoptions - 109 (40%), Rescue - 70 (26%), Foster - 63 (23%), and Foster to Adopt - 18 (7%)." Furthermore, for a touch of fun, each Daycation backpack now comes with a bingo sheet filled with challenges to complete with the animals.
Lastly, DAS is preparing for its next virtual volunteer town hall on August 25, which promises important updates and a platform for volunteers' questions and ideas. Engaging the volunteers both online and through direct service projects, DAS underscores the essence of community in the shared mission for animal welfare.
