As a nonprofit, all-volunteer-based agency, the Freeborn County Humane Society values its volunteers as much as we value the animals entrusted to our care. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our volunteers and animals.

We have recently made a change in our youth volunteer policy. As a safety and liability issue we cannot allow volunteers under 18 years of age to work on site at the shelter without a parent or legal guardian present. We are encountering a more challenging environment during these changing economic times. More animals are coming to the shelter, not only as strays but as surrenders from families who sadly can no longer care for them. This policy is in place for liability concerns and the safety of all involved. Understandably, this has caused some concern with the youth volunteers and their families. Primarily for the safety of our youth volunteers this difficult but necessary policy has been put into place. This is standard operating procedure for most animal welfare organizations.

This does not mean we don’t have a place for these wonderful dedicated youth volunteers in our agency. There are many activities youth volunteers can do to help the shelter that do not require them to be at the shelter. Some ideas might be to organize a pet food drive at their school with the help of a teacher or parent, create a library display on the pet overpopulation crisis and the importance of spaying and neutering, and encouraging local businesses to stock Freeborn County Humane Society literature. We need youth volunteers to help us with our fundraising and public awareness activities and events. They are a critical part of making these events successful. Please bear with us while we construct alternative plans that will allow them to spend time working with the animals in a safe and secure environment for them and our animals.

Hopefully this has helped to clear up any misunderstandings that arose from this new policy. In the future please come to us with any questions and concerns about any issues relating to the shelter. We try to be available within our busy work schedule, to make time for all of our volunteers and the people that we serve in this community.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Tolli B. Gossett

volunteer coordinator

Freeborn County

Humane Society

Albert Lea