Dallas Animal Services is bringing a series of festive events and opportunities for its volunteers as the holiday season approaches. In a recent newsletter obtained by SFist, the organization extended profound thanks to its volunteers, whose dedication, compassion, and generosity make an incredible difference in the lives of the pets and people they serve. The sentiment of gratitude precedes a host of scheduled holiday activities designed to bolster community spirit and the welfare of animals in their care, according to the City of Dallas.
Volunteers are invited to a Holiday Party on December 5th, complete with complimentary dinner and drink tickets, raffles, and a festive atmosphere. While the spotlight is on the volunteers, DAS is also concurrently running an assessment in partnership with George Mason University's VPA research team, seeking feedback to strengthen the volunteer program. Volunteers, across varying levels of engagement, are encouraged to participate and aim for a 200-response target. A noted opportunity adds a dash of Hollywood to the mix; The Pet Lovers Choice Awards, parallel to renowned awards like the Teen Choice and People's Choice Awards, recognizes pets and shelters with potential for gaining DAS visibility and grant funding. Entries are exclusively open to DAS alumni before closing on December 10.
The thankful spirit of the season does not stop within the walls of appreciation dinners and survey forms. Dallas Animal Services has also organized several festive-themed volunteering opportunities. "Thanksgiving Opportunities" invites volunteers to engage tomorrow, providing company and special meals to shelter pets and staff, even though the shelter itself will be closed to the public. In the same communiqué, there's a call for assistance with the upcoming "Ticket to Ride," an out-of-state transport scheduled for December 6th, and volunteers are needed to walk dogs and assemble crates in preparation.
Ensuring that both the furred and feathered at DAS have a joyous holiday season, the shelter is seeking help for its "Silent Night Staycation" and "Calming the Canines" events. Volunteers are requested to pair up with dogs for a temporary holiday home stay on December 20 and 21, and on New Year's Eve to provide comforting company as fireworks light up the night sky. The shelter is also on a mission to gather enrichment supplies for cats, including everyday items such as wine corks and cardboard, with a purposeful collection date set on December 28.
Highlighting the value of its volunteer community, DAS celebrated Dianne Goldstein in their "Volunteer Shout Out", sharing her story of using social media to help reunite stray dogs with their families. The close-knit volunteer network is growing, with a hearty welcome extended to a substantial number of new volunteers joining the ranks since the last newsletter. With the bustling holiday period around the corner, Dallas Animal Services showcases the impact of its volunteers, not just in hours but in the homing of tails that wag and hearts that shelter both pets and people alike.
