Bella, one of the many animals up for adoption at the Niagara Falls Humane Society, peeks out from inside a basket. Photo courtesy of NFHS.
Oh, a storm is threat?ning
My very life today
If I don?t get some shelter
Oh yeah, I?m gonna fade away
This week?s column has been written by volunteer Dan Mazur again this week. Dan is enjoying his work in our local schools and talks about his experiences. ? Cathy Fulger, Niagara Falls Humane Society
DAN MAZUR/Gimme Shelter
As a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors for the Niagara Falls Humane Society, I have been privileged to serve as an ambassador for the organization the past two years.
I have had the distinct pleasure of visiting many schools throughout Niagara Falls.
At the NFHS, we do not approach schools asking for donations. It is the children that have chosen to raise funds for the animals at the shelter, to ask that, in lieu of gifts, that donations be made to the NFHS, and to hold fundraisers on our behalf.
We are overwhelmed by the regularity of the donations by school kids who diligently raise funds for us at their school and bring us practically everything on the shelter?s wish list.
Their intentions are pure and innocent as their natural curiosity about animals is matched by their incredible generosity. They just have a genuine love for animals and want to make a difference in their little worlds.
We are honoured to have been chosen by many schools as part of their class projects in which they learn about social responsibility by helping out local charities.
Dan Mazur
Each school visit is as exciting as the first one for me. The hush that overcomes a previously rambunctious group of kindergarteners is quite the moment. I am always taken aback at how respectful, gentle, and inquisitive my little audience is.
I?ve brought cats, dogs, a bunny, and even a guinea pig to the schools and the kids were always in awe of some of the shelter?s star attractions.
The purpose of my visits is to educate the kids about how they should always be respectful, compassionate, and responsible with their animal friends. They really seem to understand what the shelter does and how we help animals find new homes. They?re not jaded by preconceived notions that others may have developed about the NFHS or animal shelters in general.
Obviously there are some topics that I need not discuss with them (euthanasia, animal cruelty). However there are some kids who have experienced the loss of a pet and they seem to understand that, unfortunately, our pets are only with us for a short time. Their positive outlook on life is infectious.
There is both a lot of joy and sorrow at the shelter. Some days are better than others. I find that these school visits provide me with a respite from a particularly difficult situation at the shelter and help to reaffirm the good work that the NFHS is doing.
These visits have been such a positive experience for me, renewing my dedication to the NFHS every time.
I?ve also had a few frustrating days where the children lost interest, even with a cat or dog present, and would run off and play. Even on those exasperating days where it feels as if the purpose of my visit has been for naught, I get a hug from a little girl who thanks me for bringing a kitty to their school.
That simple gesture makes it all worthwhile.
Don?t forget about Empties for Animals, a collection effort of returnable empty beer, wine and liquor bottles that raises money to help the shelter animals. We would like to thank Lisa Maroney, whose program has raised $5000 for the shelter in less than a year.
You can drop off your empties at the shelter or our Empties location at 4541 Crysler Ave on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
On May 11 and 12, Baldini and Vandersluys Photography will be hosting a Dog Days fundraiser at their Lundy?s Lane location. 10 per cent of the proceeds from every picture will be donated to the Niagara Falls Humane Society.
For more information on the event and about the shelter, please visit our website www.nfhs.ca and like us on Facebook.
If you think you might have a talent or skill that would help the shelter, please call or email me. Right now we are looking for a handyman and someone to produce a newsletter, and we also many other roles to fill.
Ask any of our volunteers, they will tell you how satisfying it is to help the animals.
Ally
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