Page 6 - A Day in the life of an Animal Care Assistant

Wednesday 11th January

7am - Today I feel like staying in bed - the weather is dull and rainy, a typical winter's day.

I know however if I don't go in today other people will have to work twice as hard and the animals won't get as much attention as they deserve. That thought pulls me out of bed and spurs me on for another day at the Animal Shelter.

Its 8.15 by the time I arrive - just time for a cup of tea before starting work at 8.30am.

I open the door to my kennel block to the familiar smell of dog poo and the intense noise of barking dogs waiting to be fed and let out.

I say hello to them all and check them over. Max doesn't look too good - he's a twelve year old Labrador who was abandoned by his owner. He was very thin when the Inspectors brought him in and his condition is poor. Today he won't get out of bed or eat his food. He seems very lethargic and confused. He'll have to see the Vet. Another dog has had diarrhoea all over its kennel, blankets are covered in it and so are the walls. I'll look forward to cleaning that one (not!).

I let the dogs out into their runs. This is where I get all my bruises from - the dogs are so pleased to see me they practically bounce off me in the morning. Some have no manners at all and even try to hang off my hair. I give them all a brief cuddle but that's all the time I can spare for now as all those dirty kennels are waiting to be cleaned. People assume you just walk dogs all day, they don't realise that a major part of it is cleaning up after them. So, the hard work begins - bending, lifting, scrubbing, washing, disinfecting, rinsing, mopping, the list is endless, just to make sure germs don't spread and the dogs stay healthy. Oh and did I mention picking up all that poo? Poo of all consistencies, from dogs that have been confined all night - get the picture?

After cleaning inside the kennel block, its time to let the dogs back in and start on the outside runs. Again I'm bombarded with dogs leaping around covering me with dirty, wet paw prints and you always get some that stand in a pile of poo before jumping up at your back!

10.30 am. Break time. I've only been here two hours and my once clean uniform smells like it looks and I'm cold and wet. I'll warm up over break time but then it's back out there.

I'm wondering how Max is getting on at the Vets, we should get some news soon.

Meanwhile we are open to the public and someone wants to look at Molly - a two year old collie cross. I go through all the forms and everything seems like a good match so I introduce them on the field. After twenty minutes the family agree they'd like to take her. I can't help but shout hurray - she's been here for over two months. It's the best part of the job matching new owners to dogs and seeing them go home. It makes all that hard work seem worthwhile.

Next, Zeus needs a walk and I need to do his training programme. Zeus is a Doberman and a handful. He gets so excited on his walks he tries to bite his lead, your hands, your coat, anything! We are trying to improve his behaviour before he can go to a new home. Some days you feel you are making progress and other days you're back to square one, but we'll keep trying.

12.30. Lunch. I'm starving and another chance to warm up.

My Manager breaks the news of Max to me. The Vet has decided to put him to sleep. His condition has deteriorated and he collapsed at the Surgery. I take a deep breath as I feel the tears coming. I know it's the kindest thing for him but I am angry at his owners for allowing his last days to be at an Animal Shelter and turning their backs on him when he needed them most. At least we showed him love and affection in his last few days and that thought comforts me.

I go and play in the run with my favourite dogs, Jack and Phoebe in an attempt to lift my mood. It works. They cover me in licks and Jack sits on my knee for his cuddle. I know that despite the downsides to this job there are plenty of positives and I'll try even harder to find these two a new home. My play time is interrupted and I am called to collect a litter of six puppies from reception. Their owner hadn't realised the bitch was pregnant and had never thought to get her spayed. This is her third litter. Some people never learn.

The pups smell of vomit, they've been sick on the way here and they're all covered in it. Bath time!

The pups are routinely wormed, deflead and vaccinated before going over to the puppy unit where they will be monitored for the next few days. I smell even worse now!

Its time to get my dogs ready for the evening. Meals to prepare, medication to collect, more poo to pick up and beds to make. By 4pm I let them back into their kennels and switch on their heat lamps. They settle down quickly after they've been fed - most know the routine by now, a sign they've been here too long. I give them all a treat before shutting up the block and tell them I'll see them in the morning.

Tomorrow Sandie comes in. She's a volunteer who comes in every Thursday. I look forward to Thursdays as I know with Sandie's help we'll be able to spend a lot more time with the animals. Volunteers make such a difference.

Please click here to download the Volunteer Application Form.