My Nonprofit Reviews

I started volunteering at FFR about a year ago, walking dogs and cleaning kennels on a quiet Friday evening shift. It was hard work but therapeutic after a long week at the office. My impression then was that the volunteer training was well done, the other volunteers were friendly, and the animals were well cared-for.

In the last few months, I have trained for a few more responsibilities. This experience has allowed me to see some other aspects of FFR. I have learned how to be an adoption counselor and interact with the public (I've placed three cats and a dog so far!). I have also helped with some of the administrative support work, setting up folders of information for adopters and assisting with the website.

The changes to my responsibilities have also changed my perspective on this rescue. I have been peripherally involved with rescues for about 10 years (mostly organizing events and raising funds), so I have had many opportunities to see how rescues operate. FFR impresses me. They have a vision that supports the community, rather than just protecting a specific breed. They are also extremely conscientious in the care of the animals, far beyond what I understood with those evening dog walks and mess cleanups. FFR has made special emphasis to correct medical issues that others would have not attempted to fix. Their response to these animals is handled with the utmost urgency, as was clear when I visited one recent evening to take photos of a new cat. I discovered a wound on her, texted a photo, and she was picked up for a visit to the emergency vet 15 minutes later. I'm not sure how many other volunteer organizations would respond that way.

I started volunteering at FFR because I felt bad that my boyfriend had volunteered for the organizers in the past and then didn't step up when they formed FFR. It seemed like a nice thing to do. Now, a year later, I feel like I'm making a real difference in my community and for these animals. I couldn't imagine ever giving it up.

More Feedback