“Dear PoPville,
HRA is a mess right now. Just the latest example is below. They sent out the email below asking volunteers for help cleaning out dog kennels–something that they typically pay staff to do. Staff have been laid off, and others have left for better paying, less chaotic, jobs elsewhere. The animals are suffering because of it. I’ve flagged this for DC Council, as have others, but it seems like they are just trying to wait it out until Jan 1 when HRA’s contract expires–but these dogs are suffering right. now. I don’t know what to do except send this to someone who can amplify that this is a problem.
Volunteers have full-time jobs! We spend time at the shelter to give dogs a break, a walk, some socialization, a chance to interact with humans. We get to know the dogs so we can help find them fosters or families–we know each one of them by name, and we discuss them in our free time and try to think of ways to help them.
It’s a misuse of limited volunteer time to ask them to fill in for what should be paid staff positions. Animal care is a job that HRA should be paying people for–it’s hard work! Instead, they are laying people off and asking volunteers to fill in the gaps.”