They Did It: Behavioral Enrichment Tracking Program for Volunteers
To ensure that every animal in their care gets daily enrichment, this Montana shelter tapped their dedicated volunteer base.
Who:
The Humane Society of Western Montana
Missoula, MT
Did What:
HSWM’s “Got 20 Minutes?” program for volunteer staff is based on a simple, powerful concept. Each animal is given a “Got 20 Minutes?” tag that is hung on their cage or kennel.
When the front of the sign is displayed, volunteers know that these animals are ready for their daily enrichment. When a volunteer provides that animal with 20 minutes of enrichment time, he or she flip the tag over and gets a special “Thank You” from the animal for their good work.
It’s easy for staff or volunteers to see at a glance who’s waiting to spend some quality time with the volunteers. And volunteers also get to see the results of their hard work!
Now You Try It
If you plan to implement this program, here are some important tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure all the tags are turned around at the end of each day so you can start again fresh in the morning.
- Be prepared to get questions from visitors and volunteers alike on what the tags mean and how they can get involved. They beauty of this program is that it sends such positive vibes about your shelter, letting visitors, staff and volunteers know that this is a place where animals are safe and well-loved, this is a community that cares about its animals.
