TOLEDO, Ohio — Lucas County Commissioners reinstated the volunteer program at Lucas County's dog shelter (LC4), following months of controversy that included the suspension of the program and the unanimous firing of the former dog warden.
The program is back, and commissioners said changes have been made for the betterment of the shelter's animals, the employees and volunteers.
“We promised to bring the volunteer program back to LC4 after we put it on pause to evaluate and make improvements. We have kept that promise, and I am proud of the comprehensive changes we have made,” Commissioner Pete Gerken said in the press release. “We now have a program that adheres to best practices, has clear policies and procedures, and has the organizational support it needs to be successful.”
The process to become a volunteer includes an online application and a screening process that includes a background check, commissioners said. Sessions both online and in person will train volunteers on dog behavior, dog walking and more, according to the release. An interest form can be found here.
Volunteers will also be required to review an updated volunteer handbook and sign a code of conduct, commissioners said.
The volunteer handbook, which can be found here, notes that anyone who had previously been dismissed from the volunteer program cannot apply again. Additionally, the handbook states anyone who has been discourteous to LC4 staff, or anyone who used commentary toward LC4 that was "defamatory, obscene, libelous, or slanderous" won't be eligible for the program.
The handbook also requires that volunteers do not use social media in a way "that may cause operational harm to the reputation of LC4." Volunteers were also instructed to submit complaints to the Community Outreach Coordinator via email.
“The program we’re announcing today will be better for the volunteers, the LC4 staff, and the dogs,” said Commissioner Anita Lopez. “We are grateful to those who support the mission of LC4 and want to give their time to make a difference in our community. Their success is our success.”
Volunteers will be primarily responsible for walking dogs, though commissioners said in the release volunteers will have opportunities to participate in other dog care programs. Dog walking will occur in two shifts per day, with a maximum of four volunteers needed per shift.
“Volunteers are an important supplement to the day-to-day operations of LC4. They provide additional exercise and fresh air for the dogs in our care, help socialize the dogs, and often introduce our adoptable dogs to the public through the Dogs on the Town program,” said Commissioner Lisa Sobecki in the release. “I’m happy we are relaunching this program today and I look forward to its success.”
The program was suspended in August after employees said they were being harassed by volunteers after a video surfaced showing an employee appearing to hit dogs and spraying them with water in the LC4 kennels.
This comes after LC4 was the subject of some controversy after the organizations employees alleged harassment by the volunteers. The Lucas County Commissioners shortly thereafter suspended the program.
The decision also follows major restructuring of the organization. In September, the Lucas County dog warden, Kelly Sears, was fired in September following multiple complaints of poor treatment of staff and animals. The county's human resources department also recommended the suspension of an employee who was accused of mistreating animals.
Tom Waniewski, a candidate for Lucas County commissioner who is competing for the seat against Gerken, issued a statement on Friday that claims the move to restart the volunteer program was motivated by politics and said that Gerken should have waited until a new dog warden was hired in order to obtain that person's insight.
"Animal advocates have been trying to talk with Pete about how volunteers can be of greater service for four years and nothing," Waniewski's statement read, in part. "Now that WTOL has been inquiring, and our campaign has been able to look into such horrendous allegations going on at LC4, Pete thinks it's a good idea to respond."
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information about the volunteer handbook.
