“Helping others is an amazing way to start the day.”

If you’ve been on campus early on a weekday morning, you may have seen a guy with a cool beard wearing green clogs and a big smile working his way down the line of kennels, giving potty breaks to all the dogs on the Adoption Floor. A few of us lovingly refer to him as The Dude and he has become known for his dedication and great attitude.

Joel is one of the pilot volunteers for the new role of Dog Potty Breaker. This person works with Animal Care staff and works quickly down the line of dogs, taking each one out for a quick potty break in the yard, between 7 am – 8:30 am. This is incredibly helpful to Animal Care staff during their morning routine, as it allows staff to focus on kennel cleaning and swapping without having to stop and take every dog out. This role is different than Dog Walking, which usually involves longer walks and/or playtime in a yard.

How long have you volunteered at the Sacramento SPCA? 2 months.

Tell us about your role (or roles) as a volunteer? My role is helping the Animal Care team prepare the dogs for their day.

Of all the organizations you could have chosen, why here? Helping animals is something I’m drawn to and the SPCA is a great organization to work with.

What do you like most about helping animals? Seeing the animals first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to influence their day in a positive way. 

Do you have any animals at home?  Yes! We have three dogs. Pinky is 2 years old. Roxi is 4 and Radar is 7. 

What would you say to someone considering volunteering? Absolutely do it! Helping others is an amazing way to start the day.

If you are interested in this new role, please contact our wonderful Volunteer Recruiter Bailey at bhitch@sspca.org!