Volunteers – Our Shelter Pets Best Friends!

TSPCA dogs and cats, puppies and kittens are always happy to see our volunteers with loving hands, playful attitudes, time to visit, take a walk, and socialize.

Volunteers help the pets in countless ways and often become a new shelter pet’s first human best friend.

Meet February’s Featured Volunteer:

For the past five years, Trey Troutt has been employed by Omni Air International as the Senior Maintenance Programs Administrator. He’s been in the Air Force for a total of 12 years, now serving in the Reserve.  Trey is also a pilot, flying Cessnas when he can and he volunteers some of his time at theAerospaceMuseum. It was our lucky day in 2010 when Trey combined his dedicated love for animals with his natural desire to help.

He first joined the Jog the Dogs Volunteer Program because he loves to run with his own canine companions, Gizmo a 2 ½ year old Siberian Husky and Sable, a 6 ½ year old Miniature Dachshund. Within a month, Trey wanted to do more so he joined the Auxiliary Volunteer Program. He wanted to get the waiting dogs out of the shelter where they could experience the sights, sounds and smells of the world. Helping with theMobileAdoptionCenter, MAC, Trey experiences the indescribable joy of seeing children and parents falling head over heels in love with one of the MAC pets. He became a MAC driver so the pets wouldn’t miss out on going into the community on scheduled outing days. Trey said, “One time, a family beat me back to the shelter. They had already filled out their adoption application, had been approved and they were just waiting for their new family member to come back from the outing!”

Trey says, “You can tell the dogs like the MAC outings. They get one-on-one attention and they have fun playing with the other dogs. It’s kind of like a doggie-field trip!” He was the first to sign up for the new Auxiliary program called “Out ‘n About” which allows him to take one lucky dog out of the shelter in his own car for a day of fun. He’s always hunting for the dog who would benefit the most from personal attention at the moment.

Whether you have four legs or two, you’re going to be helped by Trey. He has tirelessly assisted in various aspects of the Adopt-a-Thons, doing whatever needed to be done. When a new volunteer or visitor needs something, Trey is a “first-responder.” He modestly pitches in when behind-the-scenes work needs to be done. One afternoon, he sorted through Christmas MAC items so they could be stored away. Currently, he’s enrolled in the Open Paw Training Program which helps the pets tremendously in their Journey to a Forever Home. His contributions are truly priceless!

When asked why he volunteers at TSPCA, Trey said, “You know it’s the right thing to do; it’s not a grey area at all. Animals have been abandoned or neglected and you’re just trying to do the right thing. You can see you’re making a difference!”

The pets and the Tulsa SPCA have certainly benefitted by Trey’s involvement. His unselfish and persistent dedication to the cause of getting the pets into permanent, loving is inspiring. Thank You, Trey!

January Featured Volunteer - Deborah Stanley; click here to review.

Volunteer Your Time:

Some of our furry new arrivals have had little experience with people or life beyond a chain, a backyard, with nothing to do and no human company. Others may have lived in a puppy mill, where the animals are sales income and breeding property, receiving little human warmth.

Dogs and cats who spend time with our volunteers learn about trusting human friends, confidence of mastering manners, and the rewards of friends forever.

Volunteers help in many ways. Here are some great opportunities to come and join us:

• Auxiliary is our oldest group of volunteers who support the Tulsa SPCA mission.  They provide many opportunities to help keep our organization strong through our MAC program, Marketing Program, Fundraising, and much more.  Orientations are on the second and fourth Saturdays each monthat 10:00 am.

• PALs (Pets Are Love) program are supported by teams of volunteers along with friendly dogs who regularly visit 16 area nursing homes.

• Foster Care Program offers temporary homes for special needs situations.  This program is supported by staff and volunteers.

• Jog the Dog Program is our newest program.  Supported by our volunteers who donate their time to exercise and socialize our dogs by taking them on a jog or walk.  Love Dogs?  Love to Run?  Want a Walking Buddy?  Well, we have some furry Friends who love to join you!!  Next orientation date is March 3rd at 10:00 am.

New friendships blossom when people share common interests, exchange ideas and information and become an advocate and a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.

To qualify:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Attend an orientation meeting of about two hours
• Present a positive image as a representative of the TSPCA
• And, of course, enjoy the animals!
• For more to come soon, but for now call Courtney at 918.428.7722 if you are interested on how you can volunteer your time.