BONNERS FERRY — Carolyn Birrell has lived in Bonners Ferry for more than a decade but didn’t begin volunteering at Second Chance Animal Adoption until early October. 

“I responded to a Facebook post that Second Chance put out and it said something to the effect of, ‘Want a dog, but don’t have time for one? Why not give us an hour of your time as a volunteer?’” Birrell said.   

When Birrell started, there was only one other volunteer, as well as two employees. 

“I had the impression that I was going to walk a dog around the block,” Birrell said. “I quickly realized that they were really close to being unwalkable because they weren’t used to regular human interaction.” 

After two weeks of being jumped on and pulled around by dogs, she was ready to quit. 

“I would go home and say, ‘I’m not making a difference. My hour there isn’t enough,’ and my husband said, ‘Is this good for you? Because you’re not coming home happy,’” Birrell said. 

Birrell decided to share her concerns with SCAA board member Stephanie Chase, who told her that the shelter needed more volunteers to help care for the animals. 

“We virtually had no volunteers,” Chase said. “We had old applications that were unorganized and outdated upstairs. It was a mess.” 

“I said, ‘Aha, that’s what I can do,” Birrell said. “I am a retired recruiter with the American Cancer Society. I know how to interview people. I like to set up systems.’ So, I said, ‘Let me be your volunteer coordinator and get more people here,’” Birrell said. 

Birrell quickly began reaching out to anyone she knew. 

“I started off by begging all my friends,” Birrell said. “I got us up to the first 10 to 12. I think they were people that I knew. Many of those people said, ‘We have a thrift store.’ No, we have a shelter. They knew we had a thrift store, but they didn’t know we had a shelter or that it was located right there next to the thrift store. That’s something I want to change and that’s one of the things I am changing,” Birrell said. 

Within a few months, volunteer numbers increased significantly, resulting in each animal is getting more attention and interaction. 

“I think we’re up to 23 volunteers. We have 18 on the schedule,” Birrell said. “I feel like we are all so happy to be volunteering. There’s not a single bit of strife among us. You’re talking about 18 personalities and we communicate wonderfully. It’s this lovely family.” 

Organization has also improved, putting everything and everyone on the same page. 

“It's gone from unorganized to completely organized,” Chase said.   

Birrell said she has two goals for volunteers: to make the dogs as adoptable as possible and to give staff a break. 

“There’s one staff person there every day,” Birrell said. “All it takes is one impound drop-off from the sheriff’s office the night before. That’s enough to waylay their whole morning.”    

Part of Birrell’s role includes posting on Facebook, often creating AI-generated images of dogs as circus performers, football players or other characters as a way to capture people’s attention. The posts have helped increase engagement. 

“When you comment, it makes the post stay alive longer,” Birrell said. “More people see it. It spreads like a spider web.” 

Despite the added responsibility and longer hours, Birrell said she looks forward to returning each day. 

“I am working more than I was when I was saying I was burnt out,” Birrell said. “I feel like I’m making a difference and I come home energized. It makes me want to work even more.” 

Although volunteer numbers have grown, the shelter and Birrell would love to see more help in all areas, from spending time with the animals to other support roles. 

“They’re really good animals,” Birrell said. “There’s nothing wrong with them. They just needed some interaction.”   

“Every animal deserves a chance,” Birrell said.