“Enhanced Volunteer Training Program at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter Makes it Easier for Residents to Help Animals”

The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter has recently expanded its volunteer training program, making it easier for residents to get involved and help care for the animals in need. Previously, training sessions were only held once a week, but now interested volunteers can visit the shelter during operating hours five days a week to learn about disease prevention protocols, take a short quiz, and start volunteering.

Dr. Jena Troxler, supervisor of the animal shelter, explained that the revamped training program now offers smaller, more personalized orientation sessions, allowing volunteers to have a more hands-on experience. The orientation takes about 20 minutes to complete, followed by a 10-minute tour of the shelter before volunteers can start interacting with the animals.

Once trained, volunteers have the opportunity to socialize with kittens, provide enrichment activities, give baths, walk dogs, and help prepare pets for adoption. The shelter also offers a Rescue Run Club on Thursday mornings, where volunteers can take dogs on walks, jogs, or runs in the area surrounding the shelter.

One of the most exciting aspects of the program is that there is no age limit to volunteer at the shelter. Children are encouraged to participate in orientation with a parent and can volunteer alongside a parent if they are under the age of 14. The shelter has even had volunteers as young as under two years old, showing that families are eager to get involved together.

Troxler emphasized the importance of volunteer support for the animals at the shelter, noting that the extra walks, enrichment activities, and interactions with different people help prepare the pets for adoption. The shelter is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as two Saturdays a month, providing ample opportunities for volunteers to make a difference in the lives of the animals in need.