It seems to me there are a couple of issues here. I don't think a shelter wants just any JoeBloe walking in one day to say "hey I'd like to help by walking your dogs". The shelter needs to know something about its volunteers though a criminal check might be a bit much. If someone has been volunteering at a shelter for some time so the staff knows them and now new policies are being put into effect, then the shelter should have some sort of informational meeting/handout for all its volunteers so they know what and why. And even when volunteers have been accepted, some mini-training should be included for handling dogs. Many shelter dogs have been abused so I wouldn't want a volunteer who grew up under the "old" system of training with spanking and collar yerking now handling a special needs dog. Actual certification for dog walkers - no - the government intrudes enough.
Don't give up
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There's a sweet story on the news here today about a family that lost their boxer Louie in November 2005. They thought the ground had swallowed him, no leads or anything for 13 months. The little girl was devastated to lose her dog. A few weeks ago the dad was getting ready to search a boxer rescue web site when he had to go do something, then he decided to take a nap. His oldest daughter came along and found the website and there was Louie!! Louie stayed at the boxer rescue and the parents kept it a secret from their little girl till she walked into the living room Christmas morning! That's what I call a Christmas miracle.
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Awww how sweet! And I imagine it was a scary ordeal
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Somebody wrote a letter to the editor in this morning's paper suggesting a microchip before he escapes again.
