The Dallas Animal Services has officially announced its new Volunteer Coordinator, Katie, a proud Houston native and Southern Methodist University alum. Katie's extensive volunteer experience and love for animals shine through as she mentions her care for over twenty different species and her new five-month-old dog, Stetson. She invites volunteers to reach out to her through the volunteer inbox or personal email, as the DAS Volunteer Newsletter reports.
Alongside Katie, Anthony "Tony" Zuniga has been named the new Marketing Coordinator for Dallas Animal Services. A Mesquite, Texas, local with years spent in Colorado working for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Tony brings a wealth of experience and passion for animal welfare to the team. Volunteers and the public can contact Tony via the PIO inbox or his email, both of which were available in the newsletter.
Beyond these introductions, the City of Dallas outlines significant protocol changes due to CIRDC (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex) within the shelter. Certain areas have been designated "unexposed" and "exposed" to prevent cross-contamination while facilitating dog walking and meet-and-greets. Notably, Play Yard 10 will be utilized explicitly for dogs in Room 10, which is being used for isolation, and volunteers are to follow specific guidelines post-interaction with dogs in isolation rooms.
The DAS doesn't stop merely providing updates and operational changes. It also recognizes the heart and soul powering its mission—its volunteers. From April 20th to April 26th, a special raffle and an invitation to join the celebration at Mutts Cantina are planned in celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week. Moreover, the Volunteer Town Hall scheduled for April 16th is set to be a platform for addressing volunteers’ questions and feedback, as noted in the Newsletter.
As spring unfolds, DAS is already ramping up efforts for its Mega Adoption Event tomorrow and next Sunday, looking to place 100 dogs into forever homes. Volunteers are the backbone of such events, with the organization calling for assistance with everything from meet-and-greets to kennel cleaning.
