Volunteer
Sheila Lindquist Whitlow with Darwin
Volunteer Spotlight
Sheila Lindquist Whitlow was born in Denver, but spent a great deal of time in southern and central California.
Her education includes a B.A. in Environmental Studies and an M.A. in Science Education. She has worked as a zookeeper, park ranger, biology instructor, gift shop manager, and sign painter at places like: the Denver Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, Santa Ana Zoo, Reedley College and Kings Canyon/Sequoia national parks. She has cleaned pools for an anaconda, crocodiles, seals, sea lions, polar bears, flamingos, tigers, and, now our dogs at the Humane Society dog park.
Her most recent position as a carnivore and reptile specialist at White Oak Conservation Center, in Yulee, is what brought her, husband Larry, and their dog Darwin to South Georgia. From 2006, until this February, Sheila was working with cheetahs, Maned wolves, Komodo Dragons, tigers and Florida Panthers. Her very favorite animals at White Oak were a cheetah and the cheetahs' companion (an Anatolian Shepherd). Sheila helped to raise the cheetah cub and puppy together, and now they are inseparable. She has used operant conditioning to train a variety of wild animals, but the domestic dog gave her the biggest challenge. "He didn't live with people. We came into HIS territory to train him. I really miss that dog." She still volunteers at White Oak, once a week.
Sheila first found the humane society dog park, because Darwin loves to play at dog parks. He plays with other dogs, but seems to prefer being an only dog. When she found out that the proceeds from the dog park were used to help the humane society, that was even better, and she wanted to help out. Volunteering to help clean the pool is flexible and seemed the obvious thing to do. She schedules pool volunteers, cleans the pools on Mondays and sometimes other days – so don't forget to say "Hi" to her & Darwin.
The Whitlow family includes Darwin (the dog she found on the road in Lemon Cove, California) plus a bunch of New Caledonian Giant Geckos.
Sheila says, "At the dog park we are always looking for help with the pool, so if you are looking for a fun way to volunteer, get some sunshine and a little exercise, ask about being a pool keeper!"
Volunteer your time and love!
Volunteer Application
We can use help in the following areas:
Front Office
The City of Fernandina Beach has permitted the Nassau Humane Society to operate its Adoption Center out of the city's animal control facility at 671 Airport Road in Fernandina Beach. The front office is the brain of the shelter. Nothing enters into the body of the shelter unless it goes through the front office. This is a very important job and is the first impression to potential adopters. Volunteer duties include answering the phones, greeting visitors, handling inquiries, and taking information regarding strays or surrendered animals. The hours of operation are 11:30AM until 5PM Monday through Friday, Saturday from 11AM until 4PM, and Sunday from 1PM until 3PM.
"Cuddling" with the Cats
Our "Cat House" houses about 35 cats that all need to be socialized, exercised and groomed on a regular basis. Volunteers that love cats will really enjoy working in this environment. The cats are fed, and their litter boxes and cages are cleaned every morning. By 11:30AM they are looking for visitors. Volunteers are welcome to visit between the hours of 11:30AM until 5PM Monday through Friday, Saturday from 11AM until 4PM and Sundays from 1PM until 3PM. No appointment is necessary!
Dog Walkers Needed!
Strengthen your muscles, lower your blood pressure, improve your heart health and mental health. Walk a dog! Nassau Humane Society needs volunteers to exercise and socialize our wonderful dogs at the country setting next to Fernandina Beach Airport.
Dog walking hours are Monday 6-8 PM, Tuesday 10-12, Wednesday 4-6, Thursday 10-12, and Sundays 9-12. Please join us! Call 321-1647 for more information.
Pet Grooming/Baths
Like all pets, our adoptables need regular grooming. This is especially important prior to a big adoption day or when we are planning on marching them in a parade. Weather permitting this is a great way to stay cool in the hot dog days of summer!
Remote Adoption Days
On a regular basis we take our cats and dogs to remote adoption days in Fernandina Beach, Red Bones Dog Bakery,and other locations in Jacksonville. Volunteers are needed to help transport, and/or meet us at the adoption sites to unload. In addition, if you can volunteer to care for the pets and answer questions it is a great help in finding homes for our furry friends.
Fundraising Events
The City of Fernandina funds us for the pick up of stray animals and the care and feeding of these strays for 5 days only. Everything that happens to the animals after day 6 on is funded solely by donations and run by the Nassau Humane Society. This includes, in addition to the cleaning and feeding of the animals, the necessary shots, worming, and spaying or neutering of animals prior to adoption. To accomplish this we must constantly raise money through fundraising events sponsored by the Board of Trustees as well as the shelter staff. There are currently 5 events each year that require major volunteer efforts:
- Flea & Tick Garage Sale-February
- Pars for Paws Golf Tournament - April
- Fernandina Shrimp Festival- May
- Paw Prints Book Sale - August
- Pasta for Paws - October
In addition to these major events we also try to keep a "presence" by attending other community events and displaying our pets for adoption. Information on upcoming events as well as sign up sheets are at the shelter or can be viewed on our website at http://www.nassauhumanesociety.com/events.html
Foster Program
If you can open your home and heart to help foster an animal through an illness or just until it is old enough to be on its own we have a wonderful foster program. From time to time we get in very young kittens or puppies. Keeping them at the shelter exposes them to many germs that their young immune systems may not be able to handle. Or we get in very adoptable dogs that are heartworm positive and need a stress free home during the 6-8 weeks of treatment. Sometimes we need a home for just a few nights until the animal can be placed in a more permanent situation. We still are responsible for the animal and will handle the vet bills, food, and even provide you with kennel. You will have 4 emergency contact numbers of shelter staff should a problem arise. This a is a great way to help save a life and have a "temporary pet"!
Landscape/Repairs
We strive to keep our shelter in running smoothly and constantly make upgrades to ensure the animals in our care are given all the "luxuries" of a home. Activities such as building puppy corrals, fixing fences, and trimming the trees are all done by volunteers. A fresh coat of paint or some flowers really make the Adoption Center shine for prospective parents and make the "Shelter" a pleasant place to visit. If you have a skill or just a good back, this is one area where we can always use help!
Pet Therapy
Amelia Trace, an assisted living facility, and The Place, a day care for mentally and physically impaired adults welcome weekly half hour visits from Nassau Humane Society pets and volunteers. Times are flexible but ideally The Place would prefer 12 noon on Wednesdays, and Amelia Trace would prefer 9:30AM in the Alzheimer's unit and 10:30AM in the sun room on Fridays. Individuals could work together in teams, visiting separately and alternating weeks, or going together. In both instances NHS would be on their calendar and only residents interested in visiting with our pets would be involved. Email Beth at adoptnhs@ yahoo.com if you are interested or have questions.
Hurricane Evacuation
If a decision is made to evacuate Amelia Island due to a hurricane, volunteers will be needed to transport the animals to a safe location. You may take an animal to your home in Nassau County located away from coastal danger zones, or your hotel/motel room if you are leaving your home on the island. Please call Beth at 321-1647 to have your name added to the list of available volunteers.
Volunteer Application
