ACL Volunteer Newsletter October 2021

October 2021 | ISSUE 13

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER

Your Collective Impact 6,765 Volunteer Hours Served in 2021 With all the changes that have happened worldwide in the last two years, we have been able to count on all of you to contribute and make a difference in the lives of the animals at Animal Care League. You all stepped up to fill foster openings, brought in donations to the shelter, and sought out remote opportunities in a way that changed the life of every animal that ACL has seen.

As we move forward with more in person volunteers, we remain commited to your safety and the safety of our animals. We are so excited to see you back in the shelter whenever you are ready!

STNETNOC FO ELBA

OUR IMPACT

3

Our September Numbers

PROGRAM UPDATES

4

New Volunteer Coordinator | New Volunteer Positions Open Soon

PAST AND FUTURE EVENTS

6

CTS Recap | October Events

SEPTEMBER ADOPTIONS

9

10

11

The warm and fuzzies

SHELTER PET OF THE WEEK

HELP WANTED

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OUR IMPACT

Committed to helping animals in the community since 1973

SEPTEMBER INTAKE

SEPTEMBER ADOPTIONS

140

90

SEPTEMBER LOST PET REUNIONS

32

WHERE DO OUR ANIMALS COME FROM?

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New Volunteer Coordinator Rebecca (Beck) Sztuczko Hello everyone! I am the new volunteer coordinator at Animal Care League. In the last two months, I have been learning as much as possible about the volunteer program at ACL, and what we should do going forward to make the volunteer program as fulfilling for both you and the shelter as possible!

My professional background is in customer service. I have spent the last six years as a flight attendant for Southwest

Airlines.

Prior

bachelor's

degree

in

to

that,

Hospitality

I

received

Business

my

from

Michigan State University. I grew up in Michigan, and much of my family is still there. We have 5 cats, Mufasa, Big Charlie, Sevro, Angus, and Paeden along with a ball python named Monty the Python and a leopard

gecko,

Cern

AKA

Lizardboy

Scales

McStuffins. I recently adopted Shenzi, a puppy, from ACL,

who

is

now

welfare

as

a

Animal

Relief

named

volunteer

Lup!

and

Foundation

I

started

fostering

and

in

for

Forever

animal Critical

Fortunate

Felines. Then, I became a volunteer coordinator for Forever

Fortunate

Felines,

coordinating

volunteers

for one of their Petsmart adoption locations. From there I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in what

I

was

connecting excited

to

most

people have

passionate with

rescue

achieved

that

about

which

animals. with

I

am

being

is so the

volunteer Coordinator at ACL!

My goals for the volunteer program going forward are to create a culture of inclusivity, create new tools to

help

both

volunteers

and

staff,

and

increase

volunteer retention. With those goals in mind, we have plans to reopen new volunteer orientations this month!

Please

know

that

my

door

is

always

open.

I'm

implementing new ways to provide feedback on the volunteer program, but you can always call, email, or talk to me in person any time you have a question or concern. Thank you for all of your volunteer service so far, and I am looking forward to the future of volunteerism at ACL!

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SETADPU MARGORP

Volunteer Program Update Thank you all for your patience as I stepped into this new role! I have been working on creating a more robust training program that includes feedback from volunteers and staff members to make sure that every volunteer is given the proper tools to do the tasks that they take on. My original goal was to have the program reopen to new volunteers on October 1st. The more I evaluated the needs of our volunteers versus the program that we currently have in place, I realized that the tools to have a truly successful volunteer program are not there. With that in mind, we have pushed back the date that we originally wanted new volunteers in the door a bit while we create these tools.

I wanted to use this space in the newsletter to not only give you an update of where we are, but also to thank all of you for what you do to help our animals every single day. Without all of the volunteers we would not be able to save as many animals and reunite as many pets with their families as we do. No matter what your contribution to our shelter is, we appreciate what you do for us. Thank you all for showing up and supporting Animal Care League every single day!

Sneak Peak: Volunteer Positions Dog Enrichment

Cat Volunteering

The dog enrichment program is

I know many of you have been very

coming back in full force! The

eager to have the cat program

program is changing slightly to

return, and I am too! We have

encourage more benefit for the

decided to have the cat program be

dogs, but also to help us see

two parts: cat enrichment and cat

volunteers that could be a good fit

care assistant. Cat enrichment will

to elevate to yellow dog walking

follow our Space Cat Academy

since we are currently having most

training to work with the cats on the

of our green dogs reside in foster.

adoption floor to increase their

The change will include

sociability, adoptability, and

approximately 45 minutes of

enrichment. Cat care assistants will

enrichment or training time with

assist our care techs in the morning

certain dogs in the play room. Look

to provide a clean and inviting space

at for more information soon!

for our feline friends. More information will be available soon!

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CLEAR THE RECAP SHELTERS

Clear the Shelters ran from August 23rd-September 19th this year and we can officially say that it was a success! We had a total of 92 adoptions, including some long timers of Animal Care League. Over $7,000 was raised, including funds to sponsor 30 ACL adoptable animals.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who stepped up to donate and raise awareness during the Clear the Shelters to help all of our animals find their forever homes!

Coconut, Fluffer Nutter, and Skelly were all adopted by the same woman who fell in love with their charm and sweet personalities!

92 Adoptions!

$7,000 Raised!

30

Adoptables Sponsored Page 6

October Events & Training

Animal Care League Volunteer Newsletter

October 2021, Issue 13

CPD 18th District Adoption Day

Barktoberfest

October 16, 2021 | 11:00AM-2:00PM |

One Lake Brewing

October 14, 2021 | 6:00-9:00 PM |

1160 N Larabee Ave, Chicago, IL Raise your glass, shout "PROST," and join Animal Care League along with other members of the Chicagoland Humane Coalition will be participating in an adoption day presented by the 18th District Police CAPS department. The event will be marketed to hundreds of city workers, community contacts and residents. Participating groups will have a booth as well as be able to

us for trivia, raffles plus local beer and eats! Grab your family and friends to form a trivia team and compete to win a tour and tasting at One Lake Brewing and exclusive Animal Care League swag! To register, click here. If you're looking to join a team of volunteers, check out the Animal Care League Volunteer Facebook group for posts of other people looking!

showcase adoptable animals! ACL will be conducting adoptions at the event and will need 2-3 dog handlers as well as a volunteer to work the booth/prize wheel. Sign ups are open in Volgistics or email me if you are interested in

Volunteers are needed to check people in, assist with raffle ticket and merchandise purchases, and help with trivia logistics. Interested volunteers should sign-up in Volgistics or email me.

volunteering for this event.

If you aren't able to make it day of, snag a flyer from the shelter and hang it at

A Sound Beginning's FREE

"Intro to Training"

places that you frequent. Anything you can do to get the word out helps out ACL!

October 27, 2021| 7:00-8:00 PM Whether you've just adopted a puppy or are fostering, this class will give you a solid understanding of what you can do NOW to help your pup gain confidence and learn how to navigate our world for a positive future. We encourage all volunteers to attend this training to gain more information on training that is effective and fear free for shelter dogs.

Click here to register.

To volunteer at all of these events, email Rebecca at volunteer@animalcareleague.org

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Future Events HOLIDAY EDITION

GIVING TUESDAY On November 30th, 2021 we will ask our entire community—including our online networks, adopters, volunteers, staff and the public—to get involved in this global day of generosity. We will disperse a street team to spread the word and collect donations around town; we will have volunteers conducting an in-shelter telethon; and we will ask thousands to click the "DONATE" button online. We will work together to ensure that this day gives back to hundreds of animals in need well into the new year.

Volunteers will be needed to be a part of our street team to solicit donations, participate in our telethon requesting donations, and to create your own fundraisers to encourage people to donate!

HOLIDAY BAZAAR This year marks the 36th annual Holiday Bazaar! This event is a huge hit in the community and people really look forward to it every year. We have a new location (due to construction in 1003) courtesy of the North Berwyn Park District—1529 S Harlem Ave, Berwyn—and we'll be incorporating online shopping again in addition to our in-person event on 12/3, 12/4, and 12/5. The Holiday Bazaar includes photos with Santa (by appointment only, with cardboard Santa), a bake sale, a huge raffle, and, of course, a holiday market with some truly unique treasures.

Volunteers are needed to help move supplies to our new location, hang flyers, bake dog treats, assist with setup and breakdown, cashiers, and event attendants. There's a variety of ways to get involved both at the event and from your home. Keep an eye out for more information on how to be involved!

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September Adoptions

DOGS

SMALL

ANIMALS

CATS

Dutchess

Kudo

Zelda

Sharon

Suzette

Checkers

Leo (leopard gecko)

Ms.

Meatball

Hawkeye

Star

Marcella

Chess

Uranus (Rabbit)

Penny

Shenzi

Skelly

Nebula

Wren

Ophelia

Mercury (Rabbit)

Bee

Lily

fluffer

Sol

Levity

Ophelia

Mars (Rabbit)

Mingus

Monty

nutter

Celeste

Mirth

Craig

Bhodi

Malibu

Robin

Miso

Simba

Prudence

Marla

Ashton

Robin

Teivel

Cinnamon

Mim

Frankie

Bruce

Galinda

Twylo

Blair

Atika

Bruce

Damien

Luella

Scar

Buttons

Imelda

Miss Mew

Liana

Harper

Mazie

Kipling

Dainty Mae

Twyla

Darya

Bean

Aurora

Brona

Parker

Finley

Meegan

Tessa

Ethan

Caracara

Carmine

Red

Jean

Geoffrey

Merlin

Liliwen

Cassidy

Hollyhock

Geoffrey

Osprey

Einstein

Grewia

Bailey

Kestrel

Rocko

Mallow

Seidy

Seymour

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September Pets of the Week Penny Bee, Cash, Lyra & Leia, and RA

Every week our staff selects one of our residents as "Shelter Pet of the Week" to highlight their progress as they wait for their forever homes.

Want to nominate a Shelter Pet of the Week? Fill out this form!

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HELP WANTED We've officially opened volunteer applications for new volunteers to join us!

IIf anyone you know wants to volunteer here, have them fill out an application on the volunteer page on the Animal Care League website. If you are interested in training for a different volunteer position, email Rebecca at volunteer@animalcareleague.org.

Interested in hosting a pet food and resource drive with your co-workers, scouting troops, school, or clinic? ACL is in need of pet food and other supplies to keep the momentum going for our Pets & People Resource Program! Contact Jillian at support@animalcareleague.org for more information on how to get started today!

Interested in donating to our cause, but can't spare the extra cash? No problem! Visit our Amazon Smile page, where Amazon will donate a portion of your regular purchases to ACL. Go to smile.amazon.com to get started!

Suggestions on how we

can improve this

newsletter?

Contact Rebecca, your Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@animalcareleague.org

Want to receive a

downloadable copy?

ANIMAL

CARE LEAGUE

1011 Garfield Oak Park, IL. 60304 (708) 848-8155

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