Florida Dog Shelter Desperately Needs People To Come Snuggle Shelter Dogs

The Humane Society in Tampa Bay is looking for people ready and willing to snuggle shelter dogs! Their lonely but lovable shelter residents are still awaiting their forever home and in the meantime, they need humans. Could you be one?

Meet retired deputy Jeff Honig. He is one of the regulars who comes to snuggle pups. Clearly, in stark contrast from his previous work, it's also pretty different from what he has going on at home. Honig has four cats, but he really loves dogs, too! Unable to personally adopt any, he took on the ruff job of dog-snuggler to get his daily dose of doggo.

Jeff insists that the experience is calming and loving for the dogs... but he also gets "a lot out of it, too."

The Tampa shelter definitely appreciates Jeff's dedications to the dogs in need. One would certainly think that there's a line out the door of participants ready and willing to be professional pup pals, but that's actually not the case.

According to shelter representatives, students are usually a steady source of volunteer snugglers, but when school is not in session it becomes a lot more strenuous job to find volunteers. Not only that, but the students aren't active the entire school year! When the peak of winter arrives, students are usually (and understandably) very engrossed in their school work and exam preparations and simply don't have as much spare time or energy to come snuggle the dogs.

Alas, there are pups who need love all year long, not just at the beginning and ends of the college semesters. What's even more heartbreaking is that there are some dogs that need more love and attention than others, like the pups who have just gone through surgery for example. Recovering from surgical procedures, no matter how routine, are often confusing and scary experiences for dogs.

I think back to my pup's neutering last year at 3-years old and the poor thing looked miserable when he got home. He definitely wanted gentle pats and strokes on his head for reassurance that everything was okay and he was, indeed, a good boy.

Thinking of dogs in the shelter not getting any post-op loving is heartbreaking.

If you're as sad as I am and living in the Tampa area of Florida in the United States, check out this video that aired on the local news to learn more about being a professional snuggle companion of the dogs at the Humane Society!

If you're nowhere near Florida, perhaps this is a good time to call your local dog shelter and ask what volunteer opportunities they have! Most dog shelters have opportunities to walk dogs, play with dogs, cuddle dogs, or just generally help out around the facility. Let this be the perfect opportunity to propel you into great opportunities to help the animals in your community!