Grooming at the SPCA

[deberdoo]

Thanks to all who responded to my recent question regarding volunteering at the SPCA as a groomer to get more hands on experience. I am a student who will receive my certificate soon, but by no means do I feel that a certificate will automatically make me a great groomer. I know that it takes years of experience to be really be good at it and be totally comfortable. Please know that I am not volunteering just because I want to gain some experience in grooming. I have always wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter, but was always too wimpy because I knew I'd be heart broken all the time. I know that I have to get past that to help make a difference in the lives of these animals that are unwanted and neglected. In a small way, I can help make these dogs feel loved...just by giving them a nice warm bath and gently brushing them out. If I get the chance to actually groom them too, I'll do it with the utmost caution and concern for the dogs. It is my hope that maybe I can make them look better so they'll possibly be adopted. Yes, I'll be sad when I leave, knowing that some will be euthanized and I'll never see them again, and I'll probably cry a ton of tears, but I know there will be a lot of positive outcomes as well. So, right now I'm off to the SPCA for my first meeting to find out exactly what they can use me for. Wish me luck!!!

[desertdogs64]

Many many years ago

when I started grooming back when a mini poodle was 15.00, I started giving my time to animal shelters ,over 27 years now and I'm still at it, threw many of grooming shops 2 boarding kennels and now mobile grooming, I've owed many of places and though the prices have increase over the years, I realize it was never really about the money but about helping animals feel better and get homes.Some greedy pet groomers (breeders)are just in it for the big bucks and to breed breed and breed more, out of every 5 dogs put to sleep 1 is a pure breed, sad isn't that the push to get ahead leaves their hearts behind. So consider yourself lucky that you have a big heart and care about what really matters and as far as the animals that get put to sleep, you have to think of it as "well at least your efforts of grooming helped some dog or cat get a home from your talents,we can save them all, I've tryed.keep up the good work ,and remember
DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE HOMELESS PETS DIED

Thanks to all who responded to my recent question regarding volunteering at the SPCA as a groomer to get more hands on experience. I am a student who will receive my certificate soon, but by no means do I feel that a certificate will automatically make me a great groomer. I know that it takes years of experience to be really be good at it and be totally comfortable. Please know that I am not volunteering just because I want to gain some experience in grooming. I have always wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter, but was always too wimpy because I knew I'd be heart broken all the time. I know that I have to get past that to help make a difference in the lives of these animals that are unwanted and neglected. In a small way, I can help make these dogs feel loved...just by giving them a nice warm bath and gently brushing them out. If I get the chance to actually groom them too, I'll do it with the utmost caution and concern for the dogs. It is my hope that maybe I can make them look better so they'll possibly be adopted. Yes, I'll be sad when I leave, knowing that some will be euthanized and I'll never see them again, and I'll probably cry a ton of tears, but I know there will be a lot of positive outcomes as well. So, right now I'm off to the SPCA for my first meeting to find out exactly what they can use me for. Wish me luck!!!

[brownlikewoah]

good luck! you will find it very rewarding, and every dog you work on is one step closer to finding a new home. you go girl!

[edderland]

I have groomed pets for free for the spca and other shelters for years, but when the local spca decided on a new policy to charge people in order to take in their pets, leaving many people with no alternative than to dump them (the local animal control euthenizes all owner turn ins) or turn them loose, I told them I could no longer in good conscience offer free or other grooming to them.
They charge the owners to take them in, then turn around and charge again to adopt them out, even if they are current on shots and worming and spaying.
Deidre

[desertdogs64]

Here in New Jersey as well as other states

they have done that for years, If they are not funded by the local municipals ,then where are they supposed to get the money to run the place,care and feed the animals ?, When an owner of a pet decide they can not care for the pet anymore,that's their choice not the pet's, when you owe a pet it's for their whole live,you make it work.

I have groomed pets for free for the spca and other shelters for years, but when the local spca decided on a new policy to charge people in order to take in their pets, leaving many people with no alternative than to dump them (the local animal control euthenizes all owner turn ins) or turn them loose, I told them I could no longer in good conscience offer free or other grooming to them.
They charge the owners to take them in, then turn around and charge again to adopt them out, even if they are current on shots and worming and spaying.
Deidre

[keyray]

I think it is awesome!!! I think it will be hard, emotionally, I would love the feeling of doing something to help them out. If the dogs are clean and groomed I think they stand a better chance of being adopted.

Good luck! And let us know how it goes.

[odette]

Good for you that you can do this. The spca here would not allow me to give free grooms to adopted animals because if I was allowed to, then everyone would have to able to...wtf?!? that was the whole point , to get more groomers imvolved , You go and remember , you can not take them all home!