Volunteers play vital role at Wayne County Dog Shelter

At the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center, volunteers are doing more than walking dogs. They are helping sustain daily operations, improve animal behavior, and, in many cases, give dogs their first experience with trust and affection.

With more than 60 dogs currently in care — well above the shelter’s capacity — staff rely heavily on a network of approximately 150 volunteers who assist with everything from cleaning kennels and doing laundry to organizing donations and supporting off-site events.

“They give the dogs interaction with new and different people, which is hugely important,” said Shelter Technician Kate Mick. “Some come in scared, but volunteers help them learn trust through treats, gentle interaction, walks and just spending time with them. Additional help always needed — particularly male volunteers to help dogs that may be hesitant around men due to past experiences.”

For longtime volunteer Tonia Rich, the commitment is deeply personal. A volunteer for nearly nine years, Rich said her involvement began after she adopted her first dog from the shelter.

“Adopting a dog from the shelter got me hooked on volunteering. I’ve seen so many dogs come in and out, and it's the least I could do to help,” she said. “The staff here is just amazing. To see how the dogs come in and how they work with them, day in and day out, it's just something that I've never experienced before.”

Rich has also been impressed by the way the community supports the shelter and shows up whenever a dog has an urgent medical need or when supplies are needed.

Angie Leeman, co-owner of Your Pizza Shop on Liberty Street in Wooster, recently launched a new initiative to encourage volunteer participation by offering a free small pizza to those who complete a set number of volunteer visits.

By sponsoring the initiative, Leeman wants to raise awareness of the shelter’s need for volunteers.

“I never realized you could come here and just spend time with the dogs and help them become more adoptable,” she said. “I think that a lot of people probably don’t know that, so maybe this promotion helps get more people involved.”

The program is designed not only to reward existing volunteers but also to introduce new people to the many opportunities that are available at the shelter to help resident dogs.

“I’m a dog lover, and this is a way to support the shelter without taking more pets home,” Leeman said.

As it continues to operate beyond its capacity, shelter officials say the combined efforts of volunteers and community partners remain essential.

For volunteer opportunities, visit www.waynedogshelter.org.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.