Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Duren.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shelly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ever since I was a child, I have always had a passion for animals. I rode horses for eleven years and loved every “doggy” I met. Christmas 2001, I got a dachshund named Tommy and my intense passion for dogs really took off. Tommy was my best friend, my shadow, and ferocious little protector. We were together for fifteen years before I had to let him go on October 13, 2016, due to liver failure (which still stands as the worst day of my life). Earlier that year, I moved out of my mother’s apartment and into my own place. Tommy stayed with my mom, but I was really missing having a dog around all the time. I started looking online and decided to visit Fulton County Animal Services to see about finding a new friend. I was never opposed to pit bulls, but I also never really got what the hype was about with them either. I had a few friends who had pits of their own and were obsessed. Enter Wilbur. The first time I saw him, Wilbur was in a crowded kennel run with about four other dogs. He had the brightest golden eyes and looked straight into my soul, I swear. Two days later, I brought him home. I was so impressed with the staff at Fulton and how dedicated they were to not only Wilbur but all the dogs in their care. The woman who helped me out that day knew so much about so many of the dogs there. As I got to know more about Fulton, I found out they were managed by Lifeline Animal Project. Lifeline also manages DeKalb County Animal Services and have two smaller rescue branches, one in Avondale Estates and a Kitty Hotel on Ponce. I was so impressed and awed by what Lifeline had done for turning these two county shelters around, I knew I wanted to help somehow and get involved.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Working with homeless animals is flat out just not easy. I am incredibly tender-hearted when it comes to the animals, and they so often pull at my heartstrings. I so admire the full-time employees of Lifeline, because they really do see some of the worst things that we as people do to these poor animals. My friends and family often say things like “I don’t know how you can stand to do it,” or how difficult it must be walking through the shelter and seeing all the hundreds of dogs in kennels. It is difficult. It can be sad. But my reply is always if we, the staff and volunteers, don’t take the time to spend time in the shelters and be with the dogs, then who will? My favorite part of volunteering is the “Dog for a Day” program, which is when I am able to take a dog out of the shelter for the day and go on an adventure. I’ve taken the pups to parks, bars, restaurants, hiking, and even back to my apartment for some relaxation. My heart breaks every time I have to bring the dog back at the end of the day to the shelter, but I am also beyond thankful that I was able to do that and give the dog a little respite and a break from the shelter. To anyone considering becoming involved with Lifeline, I strongly urge it. With every sad feeling you may get over a dog, it is amplified by one thousand when the dog is adopted and goes to a loving home. Every tear and drop of sweat becomes so much more worth it when the dogs get their forever family.
What should we know about Lifeline Animal Project? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Within Lifeline Animal Project, I am just one volunteer. I frequent the Dog for the Day program, I walk dogs on weekends, I have assisted at offsite adoption events. I have done transport to and from the shelter with dogs (and even a rabbit one time!), but Lifeline has an option for everyone. The thing that makes me the proudest of Lifeline, besides achieving no-kill status at Fulton and DeKalb county shelters, is their AMAZING volunteer base. There are literally hundreds of volunteers that help out not only at the shelter but also doing community outreach. Lifeline offers free/low-cost spay and neuter services to the people of Atlanta, as well as vaccinations. I am so proud to be a part of Lifeline because of what they are doing for Atlanta and our animals.
Contact Info:
- Phone: DeKalb County Animal Services
404-294-2949Fulton County Animal Services
404-613-0358 - Email: volunteer@dekalbanimalservices.com volunteer@fultonanimalservices.com
- Instagram: @lifelineanimal
Image Credit:
Photos by Maria Manjarrez
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