On any given morning inside Broward County Animal Care, the difference between a restless dog pacing its kennel and one wagging its tail for a potential adopter can be as simple as a volunteer showing up.
That reality is at the heart of Broward County’s new “Volunteers Save Lives. Period.” campaign, launched during National Volunteer Month to spotlight the critical role residents play in supporting the county’s official pet adoption and animal welfare agency.
Over the past fiscal year, more than 735 volunteers have contributed nearly 10,000 hours, helping improve the daily lives of thousands of animals awaiting adoption.
“Volunteers are essential to everything we do,” said Doug Brightwell, director of Animal Care. “Their time, compassion and commitment allow us to increase one-on-one interactions with our animals, which improves their well-being and significantly enhances their chances of adoption. Quite simply, volunteers save lives. Period.”
Inside the shelter, those interactions range from walking dogs and comforting shy cats to assisting with laundry, cleaning kennels and preparing spaces for incoming animals. Officials say the variety of roles helps maintain a safe, humane environment while giving animals more opportunities to connect with potential adopters.
Volunteers also play a growing role beyond the shelter, representing Animal Care at community events, creating digital content and using personal social networks to highlight adoptable pets.
For volunteer Franco Magnotta, the work carries a deeply personal meaning.
“I serve because a dog saved my life moments before I attempted suicide,” Magnotta said. “The pain and concern she showed encouraged me to turn that into a positive. Her later death inspired me to volunteer and save as many dogs as I could.”
Magnotta now spends his time walking and training dogs, encouraging new volunteers to go beyond routine tasks and focus on building connections that can help animals overcome fear and stress.
“I know what it feels like to be discarded,” he said. “So I relate to them, and I want to do all I can to help them get a second chance.”
County leaders say that kind of engagement is vital as Broward continues to see a steady influx of animals in need of care.
“We have a lot of dogs and cats in our county. It’s up to us to be able to do something about it,” said Beam Furr. “Luckily, we have a lot of volunteers and rescue organizations to help us along the way.”
For others, volunteering offers a way to stay active and connected. Carol Cheyne said she turned to Animal Care after retiring and missing the companionship of pets she could no longer keep at home.
“I had plenty of time on my hands to serve,” Cheyne said. “I love animals. I wanted to be around the pets. Even though I’m not able to have them myself at the moment, this works out for me and for them.”
Back at the shelter, a volunteer leads a hesitant dog out of its kennel and into the sunlight — a small moment repeated hundreds of times each week. For both the animals and the people who show up for them, officials say, those moments are where change begins.
Residents interested in volunteering can learn more at broward.org/Volunteers. To adopt an animal, visit Broward County Animal Care.
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