Fur Fest: Youth Volunteer Appreciation

How do you thank OHS Youth Volunteers for their thousands of hours of service at the shelter throughout the year? You throw them a party where they get to mingle with the animals they love, of course! The 2016 Youth Volunteer Appreciation celebration, or Fur Fest, was a hit.

These young adults (ages 12-17) help OHS with everything from walking shelter dogs to socializing cats, rabbits, dogs and more; from building and decorating animal carriers to helping out at special events and summer camp. Read more in a blog post from one of these outstanding youths here »

The numbers: From Sept. 2015 to Sept. 2016, 309 Youth Volunteers gave nearly 13,500 hours of their time to help the shelter. Nearly 3,800 of those hours were given specifically during our summer camp season. Being an OHS camp counselor is a great option for youths who want to help the animals but can commit only during the summer months. Details here »

There were 99 Youth Volunteers in attendance this year at Fur Fest. Great turnout!

This year, 22 adult volunteers and amazing OHS staff helped make Fur Fest a success for 99 teens that attended. All party guests got to enjoy a variety of activities in the shelter and outdoors on our grounds.

Of course they also got to mingle with some of the pets they love, including puppies, kittens and rabbits. This year, they even got to meet horses thanks to one of our Education team staff members.

As part of meeting the horses, everyone at Fur Fest also got to learn more about the history of OHS. Did you know that OHS was founded in 1868 due to the desire to help draft animals—like horses—in the Portland community? Learn more here »

OHS Horse-story

The 2016 Extraordinary Volunteer Award went to Tomlin, pictured below. Since 2011 she has given OHS 1,331 hours (the most ever for a youth volunteer), and she has one more year left. Tomlin has taken and taught every possible class at OHS, is a Junior Pet Pal, team lead for her shift, and has volunteered for Animal-Assisted Therapy classes, after school club, summer camp, and OHS special events. Please join us in a big round of a-paws for all of Tomlin’s amazing work with OHS animals and for OHS programs!

Tomlin with OHS Education Manager, Jessica

Fur Fest attendees also got to enjoy pizza, salad and doughnuts (by popular request). Each Youth Volunteer received a commemorative Fur Fest t-shirt and gift cards to VooDoo Doughnut and Dutch Brothers. We love our Youth Volunteers—thank you for helping the shelter pets and people!