AHS foster mom Ellen Hale nurses Smudge, a puppy recovering from mange, back to health.
Ellen Hale is the daughter of a veterinarian. So it’s not surprising that she would become a foster parent for the Arizona Humane Society. During 2½ years, more than 2,100 volunteer hours, 31 foster cases and five foster failures*, Ellen has taken in animals from 2 months to 10 years of age. Their injuries have run the gamut from amputees and crushed femurs to dogs with missing eyes and more than 50 stitches.
Ellen is just one of the over 1,700 volunteers AHS recognized this week during National Volunteer Week. Of those volunteers, 700 are foster volunteers who open their hearts and homes to sick and injured animals who need a little rest and relaxation as they are nursed back to health. AHS’ volunteer program has grown to such that in 2010, AHS volunteers racked up an astounding 359,027 hours, equivalent to that of 173 full-time employees.
Ellen finds the foster care experience “rewarding, gratifying and fulfilling.” She enjoys working with “so many caring people who are true animal lovers and have only the best interest of the animals at heart.”
“AHS volunteers truly exemplify the compassionate spirit upon which AHS was founded,” says Sharon Kinsella, manager of volunteer services. “AHS could not do what we do without our dedicated volunteers and foster volunteers whose commitment is unending and inspiring.”
AHS is committed to growing its foster care program. Currently there are 31 animals waiting for foster care; a number that doesn’t even include the more than four dozen animals recovering in AHS’ isolation ward. The next AHS Foster Orientation will be held on Sunday, April 17 from 11am to 2pm at AHS’ Sunnyslope facility, 9226 N. 13th Ave in Phoenix.
For more information or to register, call 602-997-7586 x1040 or
visit volunteer.azhumane.org.
————————————
*Foster “failure” refers to a foster parent who has chosen to adopt the animal that they are fostering. So it’s really a good thing!
