Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Kent
By Kara McIntyre, Digital Marketing Coordinator
Kent starting volunteering at the Houston Humane Society four years ago after his cat passed. He began by spending time with shelter cats, but after another longtime volunteer introduced him to the dog cabanas, he found a new passion.
He often teams up with volunteer Dawn to walk dogs who share a kennel, taking them out together for walks and playtime. When Kent is on his own, he focuses on dogs who can be more challenging to walk, using his experience to give them a safe, positive break outside.
His favorite part isn’t just the walk. It’s “sitting down and interacting with them, showing somebody cares about them.”
Kent especially loves watching shy dogs begin to trust. When that happens, he says, “I’ll get another volunteer or staff member and try to expand their circle of trust.”
For Kent, seeing that progress in dogs who are scared or shy is one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering. He also enjoys working with Houston Humane Society’s behavior team and learning more about dog behavior and training.
“I had no idea there was so much to learn.”
Volunteering also gave Kent something he hadn’t expected: a new community after retirement. He says the friendships he’s made through Houston Humane Society have helped replace the social network he had while working.
“You have a bunch of people out here that we see quite often, and we become friends. We go have drinks together, so it's partly the social aspect [that keeps him coming back] and partly the animal aspect.”
Before coming to Houston Humane Society, Kent had never volunteered at an animal shelter. It was a completely new experience, and now he wants others to know how fun and meaningful spending time with shelter animals can be.
“By volunteering, you’re providing a safe way-station for them [the animals] before they find a home.” It’s work that matters.
Volunteers at Houston Humane Society help provide enrichment, exercise, and companionship to animals while they wait for adoption. Opportunities include spending time with shelter cats, walking dogs, animal enrichment, and community outreach.
Interested in finding your place in our volunteer community? Learn more about volunteering at Houston Humane Society.
Apply now to become a volunteer.
