Happy Holidays Happy Paws

During the Christmas week, I joined as a volunteer dog walker at animal shelters in New York.
Day 1 was at Animal Care & Control in East Harlem. There are cats and dogs in separated rooms and
they are placed in individual cages. At this location, dog walkers are paired up for one dog.
As soon as we checked in, we were given plastic bags to pick up doggies waste and some instructions(never
unleash, do not let dogs pick anything up from the street, etc.).
Most of the dogs were so anticipating to get fresh air. Chanton(above), 8 months old boy, was one of them.


He was overjoyed all around and jumping over anyone he saw! We wished we could have spent much more time for them but due to a lack of volunteers (experienced dog walkers), we only walked about 10 to 15 minutes per dog..







Day 2 I went to Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) in Williamsburg. It was a surprise for me to know that there
is an animal shelter in such highly sought after real estate development area. They have more variety of dogs..in size & age.

They let us take one dog out per walker so it allows us to have like 45-50 minutes for each walk. It is definitely much better but the evening I joined was freezing cold so I wasn't sure every dog was actually willing to walk that long.

My first dog Lady, right,
10 months old girl was enjoying but eventually started shivering from the cold and rain.. Sorry..
She is a very good, friendly girl.



My second walk was with Tess, 7 years old Terrier and Poodle sort mix (my guess). She is fluffy cute but had an attitude.
She didn't want to walk especially in dark areas so kept barking until I held her up in my arms. She probably only
walked some blocks on Bedford Ave. She was sitting on my lap all the time otherwise..


These shelters are temporary houses until these animals find new homes. We can adapt them as our family members.
For the adaption requirements, check out their websites below. Of course, you can also join dogwalking before you make a
decision or just come out to have a good time with these fun loving hairy folks!

Animal Care & Control of New York City, E110th St between 1st & 2nd Aves.
www.nycacc.org
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC), Wythe Ave & N1st St.
www.barcshelter.org