Please feel free to discuss and if you want say why you voted although of course this can remain anonymous, I just thought it would make an interesting topic

Difficult one this. I'd like to think if a dog is in danger they'd be open anytime. But if someone is looking to rescue one from the centre then the hours need to allow for all kinds of crazy shifts people work, and for them only being available at weekends.


Of course, this doesn't take into account that the staff are all vounteers!

So I went 9-8pm Mon to Sat but on the assumption that that volunteers make good use of an answering machine ( although I appreciate this adds to the phone bill). I can only compare to scouting where I would avoid ringing anyone after 9pm at night and generally try to avoid calling them on a Sunday unless its urgent. People need a bit of time off away from work and volunteering.

As one who rescued a dog the bit I found most difficult at the start was that I thought emailing was more helpful because I didn't wnat to disturb busy rescue people from helping suffering dogs. But almost all didn't reply and those that did left it for what felt like ages ( week or two). I'm sure its not long in their eyes, and I'm not wanting to offend anyone here, I appreciate how busy they are now i understand a lot more about how it all works but as a new person to this I just assumed they didn't read there emails or there website wasn't monitored. A good email reply service, even just an automated response of acknowlegdement could be the difference between finding a home and that home going elsewhere and could also drastically reduce the number of calls received.

Hope this makes sense!!!!!

ive voted 9 till 2pm ,but perhaps having calls after 2pm diverted to an answer phone the volunteers could then sift through and any genuine emergencies could be dealt with, everyone needs time off to lead a life of there own as well,

I voted anytime,,,but of course I run a rescue and do get calls all day and all night
early call once being 5.30 in the morning and las-*test*-('") call being 1.30 during the night,,both were to take dogs in,,,,which I did ,,,and a call one Christmas day,,and I took that dog in also....

But of course I would not expect anyone helping me do this,,,,,it was my choice,,,

so I would say its up to the person running or helping the said rescue,,,
today my 1st call was 7.30 and that was for advice,,,,,I always threaten to get one of those paid numbers,,,,,that way I could make pennies for NESSR,,

I voted 9 to 5 Mon to Sat, but I don't run a rescue.....If I did, my heart would say 24/7, but in reality, I hate mornings, so I would have to make it 10 til 6. I struggle to make it for work by 9

On a more serious note, an answerphone for out of hours would be good, providing someone checks it for emergencies.

I guess alot depends on the volunteers and the hours they work on their 'proper job'

I agree 24/7 for a dog in urgent need should be available - but its a case of having enough volunteers to provide around the clock cover, not only to answer the phone but also to help collect and foster the dogs.

(when I say 'proper job' I dont mean to sound disrespectful in any way - I mean the persons paid job )

Another point to consider.

A dog rescue centre who employ paid helpers only answer there phones to the public between there normal opening/visiting hours usually 1-6 or similar, the paid staff also look after the dogs ie cleaning and feeding from say 8.30 - 1.
Yes they have an answer phone service so can return calls if of a serious nature, but what do they call serious, they have 3 month waiting lists for dogs waiting to come in so if there are no spaces vacant exactly what is classed as serious enough to admit a dog immediately?
Should 'mixed breed rescue centres' be made to open 24/7 to deal with 'emergency/urgent need cases'?

Yet breed rescues who operate on voluntary helper basis appear to be on call 24/7? What about the voluntary helpers who have children, husbands, partners who also have to receive the calls and the intrusion into there private lives, is it fair on them that the children are woken by the phone late at night, that the husband doesn't get a chance to simply spend some time with the wife of an evening because the phone keeps ringing?

I'm not saying any of this is right or wrong, I'm just opening up the conversation with thinking points.

If it was a genuine emergency - then I wouldn't mind taking a call at anytime
I wouldn't personally make a call to a volunteer after 8pm -
As for rescue centres they have opening times and that is usually the only time you can call, only a few have out of hours numbers

Dogs coming in, or in need of help, anytime, if i'm not in i get back to them, i also took two puppies in on New years day becasue they said it was an emergency, if i post dogs for rehoming, i ask people to ring after 6.00pm because although Nev is in earlier in the afternoon, he has dogs to sort, and phone messgaes to sort from people who have left messages, as well as sorting feeding us

Haven't you answered your own question? Employees, who are paid, look at it as a job, however much they love animals. To answer the phone 24/7, they would want overtime.

Breed rescues, on the other hand, being volunteers, answer the phone because of love for the breed.

One's a career and one's a calling. What's needed is more volunteers!

I agree, these centres are run by volunteers but emergencies do arise, perhaps the answer would be to have someone "on call" to cover such eventualities - this could be a different person everyday - perhaps to cover hours outside the opening hours upto say 10pm and from 8am. I know this would take some organising but speaking from experience when you need help its normally outside normal hours.

Karen

I signed on the dotted line nearly 30 years ago that the life I knew then would be no more,,,and I have no problem taking calls when ever,,,,,,if that dog needs help it will get it what ever time of day or night,,,,BUT I would not expect my helpers to do it,,,,,I know most would , ....
Graham knows my nights are spent on the phone sorting out dogs ,,homechecks,and everything else that goes with running a rescue,,,,again my choice,,,no one forced my arm,,
Everyone helps in their own different way, and every little bit of that help, is valueable,,,
whether it be making something to sell at a fair in your spare time,at one end of the spectrum,,or at the other end, by making your telephone number known for the public to recieve advice or organise the surrender of a dog needing help,,,,,and if needs must,, taking the dog into your home,,,,,what ever the time....
That is what I committed to do for the Breed.....



well said NikNak.......


QUOTE
A dog rescue centre who employ paid helpers only answer there phones to the public between there normal opening/visiting hours usually 1-6 or similar, the paid staff also look after the dogs ie cleaning and feeding from say 8.30 - 1.

QUOTE
Yet breed rescues who operate on voluntary helper basis appear to be on call 24/7?


Haven't you answered your own question? Employees, who are paid, look at it as a job, however much they love animals. To answer the phone 24/7, they would want overtime.

Breed rescues, on the other hand, being volunteers, answer the phone because of love for the breed.

One's a career and one's a calling. What's needed is more volunteers! rolleyes.gif

I agree with NikNak, and also with Dromtrasna.

I think it also depends on the volunteer's position within the rescue and what they have volunteered to do, and maybe being part of an on-call rota system is something people would be willing to volunteer to help with. I know if I had more time available for volunteering, I could commit to providing phone cover in evenings and even overnight for certain nights a week, and take on whatever those phone calls brought my way. Ultimately I guess what I mean is that volunteers could be given the opporunity to get more involved and then it could be their decision what level they want to go to.

I think it would be lovely to be able to contact a rescue whenever the circumstance arose that one was needed, and whether that's via a screened answerphone, paid staff or volunteers is up to the rescues and what they can afford / resource. But that's in an ideal world, and sadly we don't live in one of those!

In my role helping Cynthia and NESSR I have hours that I often ask people to call me, that is not because they are my "opening hours" it is more a guide to people when they are most likely to catch me and outside of those hours they may have to leave a message. I do what I can and always ask people to understand that NESSR is not my job it is ... well dunno how to describe it .... I just firmly believe in what we do and helping dogs in need and I enjoy it.

On the other hand I am a PAID Regional Fundraising Manager for a National Children's Charity and I am available 9-5 mon to fri to my 750+ volunteers with regards to office hours but work evenings and weekends to support their events and committies. my own view is that I do this because I am paid to do it and it is in my contract to work antisocial hours and I get benefits of flexibility in my work hours. I am as equally passionate about the charity I work for as I am NESSR but I have to balance my time spent on each as one pays my mortgage.

I work full-time luckily based at home, but I have to give time to that. I work odd hours so sometimes can take a morning off to pick a dog up or do a homecheck. We usually always have 1 or 2 foster dogs on top of our own 4 so they all need time and attention too.At the end of the day I am volunteer for NESSR so I give what time I am willing to give and can give to help dogs.

I am also a mum and all that comes with school runs and caring for my daughter. There are times when I don't answer because I am cooking tea or playing with my daughter who is always my no. 1 priority and has to be, but the moment I am free I check my messages and try to return the call ASAP. Sometimes I will switch the mobile off, turn the computer off and put the home phone on silent ring so I can spend quality time with my family and Cynthia always understands that.

We are all guilty in this age of instant emails and mobile phones of expecting to get hold of people instantly or send a message and get an instant reply, but people have to eat, sleep and have time to have a "life" outside of any job or other activity they are involved in. So long as an organisation or individual is clear about what they can and can not do or when people can or can not contact them then surely people should respect that and understand it.

Well said, Rhy - think that puts it all in a nutshell.

And huge admiration for all you manage to fit into your life!! Think you should come and give me some lessons in time management!