expenses during her ten-day
stay.
During Ms. Marin's visit to Portland, she received
hands-on training in various aspects of animal shelter operations,
usually lasting nine hours per day. Ms. Marin experienced daily
activities in several departments from receiving and fundraising, to
adoption and foster programs. She also attended an all-day orientation
for humane society volunteers. Ms. Marin described Oregon and Ambergris
Caye as two completely different worlds when she explained, "The size of
this (Portland) operation was amazing! Portland Humane Society functions
with the help of 1000-plus volunteers and they continue to advertise for
more. Saga Humane Society operates with less than ten very part-time
volunteers."
She explained that the internship at Portland Humane
Society was a very educational and worthwhile experience. "I got to see
first hand how a really successful animal shelter operates and all the
work that goes into it," stated the Saga Director. "I look forward to the
time when Saga Humane Society's dream of an animal shelter/education
center becomes reality and I can put all this knowledge to practical
use," she continued.
Ms. Marin stated that the HSUS/HSI Expo was just as
informative, as she attended several interesting and educational
lectures. Workshop subjects ranged from a "just getting started" to an
advanced level. Some of Ms. Marin's selections were "Starting with
Nothing," "Fund-raising 101," "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About
Animal Care- " and "Standard Operating Procedures." Considered an
international attendee, she spent the final day of the expo in an
international forum with people from other countries such as Asia, Africa
and Russia. Ms. Marin explained that the discussions centered on the
difficulties and controversies that arise in different areas. She stated
that in Africa they face adversity because they attempt to feed and care
for animals when there are so many starving, suffering people in their
country. Ms. Marin was also surprised to learn of a dilemma facing Asian
humane society personnel - the use of dog and cat fur to manufacture
coats for humans.
Aside from scheduled workshop sessions,
Ms. Marin gathered "loads" of educational material and made many valuable
personal contacts. She explained that there were a lot of people willing
to ensure that small operations such as Saga Humane Society "get moving
in the right direction." Humane Society personnel accomplish this by
attending expos and sharing their experiences so that others "don't need
to re-invent the wheel," Ms. Marin concluded.
Ms. Marin plans to further her education again in July
of this year, when she attends an Animal Behavior/Training course in New
York. She explained, "The more I know and experience, the more I can help
to make a positive change in the treatment and welfare of the animals in
our community."
On behalf of the community, The San
Pedro Sun wishes Ms. Marin the best of luck with her
future educational endeavors, so that someday all island animals may be
"pampered paws".