HSMO Celebrates its Volunteers During National Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) paid tribute to its volunteers and thanked them for their generous and unselfish service to the cause of animal welfare. If nothing else, the pandemic and its accompanying shut-down has shown how vital volunteer labor is and just how essential their services are to keeping HSMO functioning efficiently.

HSMO relies on volunteer labor for several essential responsibilities. Foster families provide much needed homes and socialization for rescued animals, are not afraid to get their hands dirty while cleaning kennels and laundry, and can be seen dutifully walking dogs, rain or shine, seven days a week.

“Our volunteers provide second chances for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals in a variety of ways, many of them difficult and messy. Despite that, they are committed to supporting our staff, programs, and events, all of which help our organization to provide humane treatment, improved quality of life, and adoption into forever homes for the animals in our care,” said Volunteer Manager Sarah Schimmele. “With that top of mind this week, it’s very important to all of us that we show our volunteers just how much we appreciate them and their service.”

Volunteer Appreciation Week at HSMO kicked off on Monday, April 18 with a huge barrage of thank you messages from HSMO’s management team, several of which are highlighted below:

“HSMO Volunteers, the passion you bring to giving animals a second chance has changed so many lives.  The countless hours of service you give allow HSMO to touch more animals than if we relied on our staff alone. I personally have been inspired by your dedication and kindness. Thank you for your incredible acts of service!”

-Dr. Travis Arndt, AMCMA Director

“Your impact is felt not just by the animals your kind faces greet each day, but by the thousands of people in our community whose lives are brightened after adopting one of our animals. Every dog walked, every horse trained, and tribute card carefully filled out, eventually finds its way into the community and your compassion spreads. The work is rarely glamorous, but we know these animals are worth it!”

-HSMO Development Team

“I have had the privilege of working with our wonderful volunteers in multiple capacities in my time here at HSMO. Many of the dedicated dog walkers at HSMO and animal care helpers at LRR are also special event volunteers and event committee members. These individuals are so loyal to this organization and the animals we serve and are willing to do what it takes to keep the ship moving! I am constantly in awe of their hard work and dedication! On behalf of the dogs, cats, critters, horses and farm animals…THANK YOU!!!”

-Shana Cook, Special Events Manager

Management was also encouraged to spend time thanking volunteers in-person at special booths set-up for the occasion that were piled high with written expressions of appreciation and freshly baked cookies in equal measure.

“We love to read the kind words and it does make us feel appreciated,” said Patty Krosch, HSMO volunteer. “It’s nice knowing your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and we really do look forward to the cookies and donuts every year. But, if I am being honest, for people like me who have been here for years and years, the greatest reward we could ask for is watching animals be adopted. That is why I do this, and that’s why a lot of us do this.”

This philosophy was echoed by several other volunteers and truly goes to show just how lucky HSMO is to have such dedicated and compassionate people acting as its cornerstone.