The Joplin Humane Society welcomes its newest volunteers

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Humane Society is welcoming its newest group of volunteers.

They are now able to help the shelter with daily operations.

“We want to give the volunteers all the skills they are gonna need to succeed. Skills on how to remain safe, how to interact with the animals and provide the socialization they need,” said Thomas Jay, Animal Behavior Manager.

Saturday afternoon the Joplin Humane society held an orientation and training session for its newest volunteers.

“We’ll learn how to get the animals in and out. Things to look for when interacting with them. Warning signs we call them. Things to let us know the animals are in an uncomfortable situation and how to deal with it when those signs come up,” said Jay.

12 people completed the training and will now be able to help with clinics and checking in on pet owners after adoption.

“There are just so many animals here. We are focusing on getting them cleaned and fed and we cannot focus on every animal. So having those volunteers come out and walk them and play with them it’s great to provide that interaction and stimulization and it looks great to the customers when they can see the animals be interacted with,” said Jay.

The shelter says the volunteers help animals find forever homes.

“We do see a lot of volunteers adopt. They come in here and they interact with the animals and they fall in love. I see that happen a lot. We have a lot of volunteers that will take them off site and they will go meet adopters out there in the world and they’ll come back here and find an animal they love,” said Jay.

The Joplin Humane Society hosts four orientation’s a month.

“I wanted to volunteer because I really like animals and this gives me something to do on the weekends. I miss having a dog since being in medical school doesn’t allow me to have a lot of pets. So I like coming here and interacting with the animals,” said Teddy Zamzow, Volunteer.

To apply to volunteer click here.

Local nonprofit is freezing out cancer

WEBB CITY, Mo. — A nonprofit is taking the plunge for a good cause.

Camp Quality Ozarks held its “Freezing Out Cancer — Holiday Bash” in King Jack Park.

The afternoon kicked off with its first polar plunge at Paradise lake.

Dozens of children and their families then enjoyed watching a movie, coloring and taking the polar express trolley through the park.

Camp Quality Ozarks is a support program that helps children fighting cancer and offers a summer camp and other events throughout the year.

“I was a previous camper myself and i just remember how important it was to me. I think it helps them be around people that are going through the same thing. It gives them hope, makes the connections. And not only for the campers, but for the parents, the siblings. When you go through cancer it is a lifetime change. So to be able to come together as a family and have those support is extremely important,” said Kristin Patterson, Executive Director of Camp Quality Ozarks.

The camp relies on volunteers and donations to fund its programs.

To donate to Camp Quality Ozarks click here.

Mercy Hospital Joplin honors its many volunteers

JOPLIN, Mo. – It is National Volunteer week, and Mercy Hospital Joplin is taking time to recognize and honor their many volunteers.

Mercy Joplin volunteers gave more than 2,500 hours last month. Tuesday’s celebration included cake and special thank you cards.

“It’s almost like a marriage you know,” said Mercy volunteer Rex Hunt. “We come in here. We love to volunteer. We love the people. We love to interact with all people, and when they give us a little thank you like this, it’s more than we ever expected.”

Mercy volunteers were also encouraged to invite their friends to volunteers at the hospital.

Joplin Humane Society revamps volunteer opportunities

JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Humane Society, an animal shelter located at 140 E. Emperor Lane in Joplin, depends on volunteers to provide the best possible care for its shelter pets and ultimately get them adopted.

Recently, the shelter revamped its volunteer opportunities to be more beneficial for volunteers and animals alike.

Volunteer Coordinator Lex Evelhaoch says that volunteers are essential in keeping Joplin Humane Society operating. Spending time helping the shelter pets enhances the lives of the animals, but is also very fulfilling.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s really rewarding… It’s this really fuzzy, warm feeling that you get when you get to watch that dog walk out of the building with its forever home. Volunteers did that,” said Evelhaoch.

Volunteer Programs

  • Stressy/Depressy Dog Committee or Scared Kitty Committee
    • Works with animals that need extra time and attention, may be experiencing kennel stress or depression
    • Helps ease anxiety in scared pets that have been surrendered or neglected
    • Makes pets more easily adoptable
  • Play Yard Rotation Team
    • Gets shelter dogs extra time out of their kennels
    • Team of 2 – 4 volunteers meet Tuesday and/or Thursday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Volunteers rotate dogs out to the play yards every 25 minutes to release built-up energy
    • Helps keep dogs calm during adoption hours, prevents dogs from developing kennel stress or depression
  • The S/N (Spay/Neuter) Support Team
    • Supports staff and customers during spay and neuter check out times
    • Provides assistance during busy times to allow staff to also work on adoptions and prevents long wait times for guests
    • Tuesday and/or Wednesday 1 – 3 p.m. or 3 – 5 p.m., some Fridays 1 – 3 p.m. or 3 – 5 p.m.
  • Post Adoption Callback Team
    • Volunteers come in twice a week to call individuals who have recently adopted to check in or give advice if needed
    • Supports people who recently adopted, helps correct possible unwanted behavior in newly adopted pets

Being in a shelter can be distressing for animals. Volunteers are what keep the shelter pets adoptable.

“When you’re sitting there working with that dog, you’re keeping that dog mentally and emotionally healthy,” said Evelhaoch.

Evelhaoch believes that spending time with shelter pets is “showing them ‘hey, people are okay, people can be trusted, there are people out there that will love you.'”

Volunteers help improve the lives of the shelter animals in hopes of finding their forever homes.

“That’s what we’re doing, we’re trying to save lives. Volunteers are the number one backbone for that,” she said.

Volunteers also receive the benefits of meeting new people and being part of a community.

“Community outreach, friend-making, all while surrounded by animals,” said Evelhaoch.

To become a volunteer, you must go through Volunteer Orientation, which is typically held two to three times per month. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer without a parent or guardian present. Junior volunteers, age 10 – 15, may volunteer with a parent or guardian.

After going through orientation, volunteers can express their interests and get placed in the best fitting committee. Otherwise, basic volunteering is always available.

The next Volunteer Orientation is Saturday Feb. 27, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

There are 10 spots available at each Volunteer Orientation. To sign up, contact levelhaoch@joplinhumane.org or call 417-623-3642 ext. 120.