Just over a year ago, I was volunteering in the temporary bungalow being used as the dog hospital at the shelter and enjoying it very much. The major renovation to the original building was so close to being done, and I was very excited for the “new” shelter to open. I’d never been in that building (the bungalows were all up when I started), but I was looking forward to myself and the animals feeling spoiled with everything being new and updated. It was at this point that things started changing.
I needed to sign in at the shelter to come in even as a visitor, which I did on my last trip to the shelter in 2020 to say goodbye to my dog friend Celery who was being rescued from the dog hospital! There were no more hugs or high fives amongst volunteer friends (I had never elbow bumped before). And just as fast as those changes took place, it was announced that the shelter was closing.
Me saying goodbye to Celery as she is about to be rescued. 
Celery in her kennel before being rescued. 
Celery relaxing on my lap.
The shelter had a shut down date, all the animals and staff were sent to other locations, and that was it. I remember saying goodbye to some volunteers and staff members and not knowing when I would see them again. Little did I know that it would not be for an entire year. The last time I saw one staffer, his wife was due to give birth any day, and the next time I saw him, his baby had just turned a year old.
As months went by, I missed my volunteer friends, my routine of going to the shelter every weekend, and of course the dogs! Volunteering at the shelter is so important to me and having that taken away so suddenly was difficult to deal with. Working from home during the pandemic had left me with limited dog interactions, and me ultimately resorting to staring out my window at my neighbor’s dog for the past year. (She’s old and fantastic!)
I had only been to the closed shelter a few times during the pandemic, and it was sad to be in the parking lot and hearing nothing. Usually as you drive up the street you can hear dogs barking, and to be there and have it be completely silent was strange. I was lucky enough to help some volunteers (in an unofficial capacity) scan lost/found dogs for microchips after the 4th of July. It was great to see my friends and to know that just for one day I was able to help some dogs.
Volunteer checking for a microchip on a found dog. 
Found dog with caregiver. 
Dog on top of crate.
In recent months, we had been getting closer to the shelter opening back up and it was a big deal. It gave me something to look forward to and I was eager to have some more normalcy in my life. When the time finally came to volunteer, I signed up for the first small dog shift on the first day available. To be honest, I was a little nervous because it had been so long since I had gotten to spend time with dogs, the building was new and I had never been in it, I didn’t know what staff members would be there, and there were a lot of new rules.
North Central Animal Shelter – Community Room 
North Central Animal Shelter 
Volunteer gear.
I have gotten the hang of home things work at the shelter now that it has reopen, knowing that there will be trial and error with new policies and procedures. I’m grateful to be able to spend time with shelter dogs, to take their photos, and network them, all in an effort to get them into loving homes. Some of the dogs have gotten adopted and some rescued, and it’s a good feeling to be a part of that.
Rex outside of the shelter (rescued). 
Jasper (fka Casper) at the shelter (rescued). 
Dover in a meet and greet room (rescued).
As the City of Los Angeles continues to open back up, I am looking forward to shelters being able to be welcome the community back. Until then, please visit the LA Animal Services website and make an appointment to adopt your next furry family member.
Rescue All Dogs 