Meet Two Humane Society Shelter Workers
By: Marcy Foust
Updated: April 19, 2012
There are 11 full-time employees at the Terre Haute Humane Society, and each of those workers goes above and beyond to care for the animals brought into the shelter.
Tom McClanahan introduces to two of those dedicated workers:
Jessica Hoffman is responsible for making sure the Terre Haute Humane Society is maintained and that animals get the best quality of life while they're being housed at the shelter. That includes making sure animals get outside at least twice a day.
"It didn't use to be mandatory. So the only times they got out was with volunteers. Now you can just hear it and see it in the dogs that when they get out twice a day they're much happier and calmer," Hoffman said.
Hoffman says the toughest part of her job is deciding which animals get euthanized. Each time she has to make that decision she thinks back to a dog named Hayden.
"A white pitbull and he actually got euthanized on a Saturday morning and then got pulled for rescue to go to another state that Saturday night. That story i will never forget that dog because his life was taken away and he had an opportunity to have a second chance," she said.
Melody Ali has been an animal care taker at the shelter for six years. She says to work there you can't get too attached ... but that's easier said than done.
One of her most difficult cases at the shelter was taking care of a dog that was hit by a car.
"One of the things that struck me is that even if we cant save them we can still love them. So he sat in my lap and passed away. But he had a half hour when he knew he was absolutely loved," Ali said.
A love for the animals is what keeps shelter employees working to make a difference for our four-legged friends.
"To see some really scared, inhibited animal come in and get love and see them come out of their shell and be a happy, loving, little thing and find a home that fits them and then actually see them go home with their owners thats amazing.
Thats what makes this job worthwhile this is my life, saving animals is my life."
Tom McClanahan introduces to two of those dedicated workers:
Jessica Hoffman is responsible for making sure the Terre Haute Humane Society is maintained and that animals get the best quality of life while they're being housed at the shelter. That includes making sure animals get outside at least twice a day.
"It didn't use to be mandatory. So the only times they got out was with volunteers. Now you can just hear it and see it in the dogs that when they get out twice a day they're much happier and calmer," Hoffman said.
Hoffman says the toughest part of her job is deciding which animals get euthanized. Each time she has to make that decision she thinks back to a dog named Hayden.
"A white pitbull and he actually got euthanized on a Saturday morning and then got pulled for rescue to go to another state that Saturday night. That story i will never forget that dog because his life was taken away and he had an opportunity to have a second chance," she said.
Melody Ali has been an animal care taker at the shelter for six years. She says to work there you can't get too attached ... but that's easier said than done.
One of her most difficult cases at the shelter was taking care of a dog that was hit by a car.
"One of the things that struck me is that even if we cant save them we can still love them. So he sat in my lap and passed away. But he had a half hour when he knew he was absolutely loved," Ali said.
A love for the animals is what keeps shelter employees working to make a difference for our four-legged friends.
"To see some really scared, inhibited animal come in and get love and see them come out of their shell and be a happy, loving, little thing and find a home that fits them and then actually see them go home with their owners thats amazing.
Thats what makes this job worthwhile this is my life, saving animals is my life."
